Flash Back: Stars without frills

Photographer StillsRavi talks about a special photograph of Vijayakanth and Radikaa Sarathkumar
Flash Back: Stars without frills

Vijayakanth and Radikaa are both great artistes to work with, as far as a photographer is concerned. This particular photo is from a duet. Given the number of films that starred them, it's hard to identify after a point. I think it's the 1988 action film, Nallavan, by SP Muthuraman. 

Radikaa is one of my most favourite artistes to work with. She has always had an excellent taste when it comes to her costumes. Back then, she was known for being modern. So capturing her is a joy for a photographer. She's also an extremely down-to-earth person. Actors these days make a big fuss when they aren't provided with caravans, but despite her affluent background, Radikaa was always cooperative. I remember once during an outdoor shoot when she had to change her costume. Unfortunately, there weren't even any huts nearby. She immediately asked some assistants to hold a couple of lungis and changed behind them. That's the sort of dedication that makes her a filmmaker's favourite.

Vijayakanth too, I remember as being a cooperative actor. Some actors were uncomfortable with posing for photographs, but not Vijayakanth. I remember one particular incident that happened in Kashmir while we were shooting for one of his films. He had to jump off a huge rock and while videographers could capture him from a distance by zooming in, the photographer had to get closer to capture the action. He himself would volunteer to go for many takes and even offered to jump from a higher rock in order to get a better photo. He was also a kind artiste. He'd give tender coconuts to all the people working on his film. In the sets of some films, the chief technicians end up getting better food than others, but in his films, he makes sure everyone gets equal attention. 

I'll cherish the memory of working with both these actors, and this photo serves as a vestige of that time.

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