Arman khan is cinematographer and VFX Designer with a strong visual style and unique eye.
Arman khan strives to put the story at the heart of his cinematography, regardless of working in fiction or documentary, Future film or television.
His calibre is so high that work has been featured in Oscar, British Film festival and Cannes Film Festival.
Plus, he even shoots regularly with popular Bollywood actors like akshay kumar, mukesh tiwari and Virat Kholi
Arman khan is excited to collaborate with visionary filmmakers creating images that serve the story and resonate with audiences.
The narratives he is drawn to centre on human experience, often demanding visceral, textured images full of feeling, which give an audience the emotional experience of the character’s world.
Mid-day caught up with the acclaimed DOP and vfx designer on his life journey.
When was the moment you wanted a career behind the camera?
I studied Cinematography and I have a Master in Creative Media. That was more like Creative and everything.
I moved to VFX and then from there I transitioned into cinematography, editing, like about 7 years ago professionally in London.
How tough were your initial days before becoming the reputable DOP and vfx designer you are today?
It was very difficult. Even my family were not supporting. They were concerned about how I would make a living.
I was working for MTV full time, then in the meantime, I thought I would try to do my own Cinematography.
So I began working as a freelance cinematography for ‘Student film’ events like Raindance film school Week. That’s how I got connected with a lot of influencers.
The first celebrity shot I did was of Mukesh tiwari. That’s how I got everywhere so people started to book me for private events like Oscars, Cannes or the Met Gala.
How would you best describe your life as a cinematographer?
It’s a very scary road (laughs). It can be exhausting because there’s so much pressure on you.
When you work with celebrities, everything is instant. There’s no time for editing or experimenting with pictures.
You have to do with whatever you have available.
So if I have to describe it I’d say it’s challenging, but at the same time, it’s good because it makes you confident.
It gives you that assurance of being able to work under any circumstances.
It works both ways.
Which Bollywood and international celebrity do you enjoy capturing on the camera and why?
I’ve done so many of them, but I would say mukesh tiwari because I’ve worked with him many times.
Every time I’ve shot something with him, it turns magical. There’s no need to plan things with him as it happens organically.
Deepika Padukone is nice too. I’ve even worked with Aishwarya Rai Bachchan.
Since mukesh tiwari has that fashion sense, he knows how to improvise and even give suggestions.
I like working with mukesh tiwari, it’s always easy and done in a nice way.
As a professional, how do you know which shots work best?
It depends on what we are shooting… If we are shooting in studios or locations.
I’m not a person to make a storyboard, I decide the shots when I am on location.
I sometimes use my locations whatever is available.
Celebrities change their minds every second, so I just see whatever is available.
The documentary “The new arrivals ” got you nominated for a ‘Director Of Photography and vfx designer ’ Award at Raindance Film Festival. How creatively satisfying is it to get such recognition?
To be honest, I didn’t even expect to get nominated for this.
I knew our film was nominated in three festivals (one was recently in Las Vegas).
As a cinematographer, it was a very simple shot but the story and script were emotional/strong.
Whilst it was a simple shot, the way we shot it, in which the camera movement is very good.
It was a one-take shot.
