Ever since India’s First 3D film, My Dear Kuttichatan (1984), came into existence, it was my desire to do a 3D film on my own. After Director Jijo and me had collaborated on the teh first and only 70mm Malayalam film till date, Padayottam (1982), Jijo was keen on taking one more step further into the unexplored areas of Film Technology. I suggested to him to go for 3D and gave him a special 3D issue of the American Cinematographer Magazine. He followed the lead, went to USA and with the help of StereoVision came back and made My Dear Kuttichatan. The rest is box office history. But unfortunately, I could not work in that film. The 3D films that followed My Dear Kuttichatan failed miserably at the box office for lack of narrative stories and the 3D wave in India ended. However, the huge success of Avatar (2009) worldwide, coupled with advancements in Digital Imaging Technology, have revived it once again in Hollywood. But in India, the 3D film is yet to rise again with our mainstream filmmakers yet to utilize its immense possibilities.
Thus, when I started planning my maiden venture in film direction, my first choice (naturally) was not just to do a 3D film, but also to do the film’s cinematography myself. For many years, I have been studying in depth about the various Technologies and equipment involved in 3D Stereography and I have done quite a few tests with various 3D cameras too. My approach towards 3D is to utilize its abilities to the maximum and give viewers an immersive experience of being present right there along with the actors on location. The subject I have therefore selected is about a magician, giving me a lot of scope for reality, fantasy and magic and to me, it is well suited for 3D. As I foresee it, Professor Dinkan will be a clean family entertainer with lots of comedy. I am keen to use the most advanced technology available to create this 3D film so that it will encourage many other filmmakers to come out with more 3D films in the coming years.
Regarding the equipment, I have opted for the world’s most advanced and fully automated 3D rig – TS5 – manufactured by 3ality, USA. Real-time robotic controlling of the Technica rig is done by using the Stereo Platform Controller. Stereo video processing is achieved via the 3ality Technica Stereo Image Processor which is designed to optimize the stereoscopic image pair. To obtain sharp images two genlocked RED Dragon cameras with matched set of UltraPrime lenses are being used.
And finally, the first look of the film. The film, starring Dileep and Namitha Pramod, is expected to be completed by the end of the year and the release date is yet to be fixed.
