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Award-winning cinematographer Aseem Bajaj talks about working on Son of Sardar 2, the challenges of filming in Scotland, and his long-standing collaboration with Ajay Devgn.
Cinematographer Aseem Bajaj, who has previously worked on Bholaa, Runway 34, and Shivaay, reunites with Ajay Devgn for Son of Sardar 2.
Cinematographer Aseem Bajaj, known for his striking visuals in films like Bholaa, Runway 34, Bhuj, and Golmaal, is once again teaming up with Ajay Devgn for Son of Sardar 2. The award-winning DOP, son of veteran theatre artist and academician Ram Gopal Bajaj, brings with him decades of experience across more than 20 feature films.
In an exclusive interaction, Aseem opened up about his approach to the film, his creative partnership with Ajay Devgn, and the challenges of shooting in Scotland.
A Special Collaboration
For Bajaj, working on Son of Sardar 2 carried an added sense of nostalgia. “I’m always happy to collaborate with Mr. Devgn, but this is extra special because of the Director, Mr. Vijay Arora. Mr. Arora has been one of my Cinematography teachers when I was starting out,” he shared.
Interestingly, Bajaj revealed that the film, while retaining the central character of Jassi (played by Devgn), is not designed as a direct sequel. “The film has a vibrant colour palette because it’s a lighthearted comedy. Compared to the original SOS, though, it’s smaller in cinematic scale and visual style,” he explained.
Crafting a Vibrant Visual Language
Asked about his creative choices, Bajaj admitted that there were no radical experiments this time around. “Honestly, no experiments in visual style for this film—we stuck to a happy, vibrant, and colourful space because that was essentially the demand of the narrative.”
This simplicity, he believes, serves the film’s comedic essence better than stylistic flourishes.
Challenges Under Scotland’s Sun
The picturesque Scottish landscape plays a key role in the film, but Bajaj admitted that its beauty came with hurdles. “The natural light in Scotland is stunningly beautiful but it comes with its own set of challenges. For example, we were filming the climax scene in open daylight exterior of the Mansion for five consecutive days. But the sunlight is constantly changing—matching it all is a very challenging task.”
Thankfully, he noted, the support of his skilled crew made it possible to achieve the visual consistency the film required.
Ajay Devgn: A Filmmaker’s Mind
Having worked with Ajay Devgn for over two decades, Bajaj described the camaraderie as both professional and personal. “I love it. I’ve collaborated with Mr. Devgn on many movies, including all four films that he has directed so far. He’s good fun to work with and even just to hang with because he’s always only thinking of films.”
He added with admiration, “Sometimes I really get surprised by Mr. Devgn’s technical knowledge of cinema technology. His passion for visual effects really throws me off balance at times, but then I end up learning bits and pieces from those moments.”
A Cinematographer’s Philosophy
Despite his technical prowess, Bajaj insists that his roots in theatre continue to shape his creative vision. “Being a DOP, I probably should be more technical in my approach, but I’m not. My background is live stage and performing arts, so for me the script, narrative, and performance are everything. I love my actors more than my camera or lights.”
It’s this balance—between vibrant visuals, storytelling, and collaboration—that Bajaj hopes audiences will feel when Son of Sardar 2 hits the big screen.
Yatamanyu Narain is a Sub-Editor at News18.com with a passion for all things entertainment. Whether he’s breaking the latest Bollywood news or chatting with rising stars in the OTT world, he’s always on the hun…Read More
Yatamanyu Narain is a Sub-Editor at News18.com with a passion for all things entertainment. Whether he’s breaking the latest Bollywood news or chatting with rising stars in the OTT world, he’s always on the hun… Read More
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