Suresh Chandra Menon has been part of the film industry for a long time now, having worked in different capacities, including as a director, as an actor and a cinematographer. Recently, he spoke to CE about the collaborations that have shaped his career and the film personalities who made a mark on him.

In the exclusive interview with CE, Suresh said that he is one of the youngest cinematographers in India to work with Sivaji Ganesan. "Usually, cinematographers aged 50 years or above would work with Sivaji sir. I got the opportunity to collaborate with him at the age of 25 years on Marumagal (1986)," Suresh said.

The cinematographer also said that he learnt many things from the legendary actor, including the importance of punctuality on set.

"If the call sheet is for nine o'clock, he would come at 8:45 to the set. With make-up, he would be ready for the shoot, without bothering about whether the director has reached the set or not," the cinematographer said about Sivaji.

Highlighting it as a lesson he learnt from the legend that he still appreciates, Suresh said that many in the film industry nowadays do not have such professionalism, including young artists, technicians and even directors.

The remake of the Prem Kishen-starrer Hindi film Dulhan Wahi Jo Piya Man Bhaye (1977), Marumagal was also a special film for Suresh at a personal level. The cinematographer met his former spouse, actor Revathy, on the sets of the 1986 film, directed by Karthik Raghunath. They got into a romantic relationship during the movie's production and got married in the same year.

Interestingly, Suresh served as one of the camera personnel on the same year's Viduthalai, also starring Sivaji.