http://us.rediff.com/movies/2005/jun/08list.htm


Recently, Time magazine announced its list of the 100 greatest films of all time, and the eclectic selection includes five Indian films.

While none would question the brilliance of the selected Indian classics like Satyajit Ray's Apu Trilogy, Guru Dutt's Pyaasa and Mani Ratnam's Nayakan, rediff.com decided to ask Indian filmmakers, artistes, technicians and critics what they felt were the best Indian films of all time.

Today, we feature P C Sreeram, one of India's most celebrated cinematographers.

"I have not included any South Indian films because I have a very long list of films made in Tamil, Telugu and Tamil," he told Shobha Warrier.

Sreeram, was the cinematographer on Mani Ratnam's Nayakan, one of the Indian films included in the Time list of best films.

Mohanlal's list | Theodore Bhaskaran's list | Vipul Shah's list | Subhash Ghai's list











Pather Panchali

A text book classic.

Director: Satyajit Ray









Kalpana

One should see it for Uday Shankar's excellent choreography. I saw it in the archives of the Pune film institute (the Film and Television Institute of India), and was zapped. Kalpana was the first Indian film to win an international award. It is said when Uday Shankar shot the film at Gemini studios in Chennai, nobody knew what he was doing.

Director: Uday Shankar











27 Down

Another film I watched as a student at the Pune film institute. I was very impressed with it.

Director: Avtar Kaul









Bhumika

I like it mainly for Smita Patil's stunning performance.

Director: Shyam Benegal









Sholay

The ultimate commercial film.

Director: Ramesh Sippy








36 Chowringhee Lane

It comes back to me after so many years. I like the whole feel, the way Jennifer Kapoor acted, the way it was photographed.

Director: Aparna Sen









Meenaxi

I saw no pretensions in it. It is an abstract film and has an uncanny way of telling a story.

Director: M F Husain









Lagaan

One of the best British Raj films made by an Indian.

Director: Ashutosh Gowariker









Mr & Mrs Iyer

Without showing violence, Aparna Sen showed a very violent incident. It is much stronger than showing blood and violence.

Director: Aparna Sen









Shwaas

A highly inspiring film.

Director: Sanjay Sawant



Comment on P C Sreeram's list



** May be its time to connect all these threads? UL?

I agree, indeed From a cinematographer's eye!! Meenaxi is nothing but superb piece of art!

Very odd - he did not choose Bhansali's Black - i wonder why ?. i love Meenaxi but i thought Black looked more impressive, perhaps i need look at both of them again.

BLACK indeed looked impressive, but somehow I think it didn't suit the story of the film completely. The look of MEENAXI was just outstandig and I suited the story 100%.

I have wanted to see Kalpana for a while. Is it available on VHS or VCD?

My apology Bhansali's Black was not a piece of art dejour imho! It was BIG/Grand film period!

Meenaxi was extremely Visual art based film..only possibly? a visual artist can appreciate that.

I did not even recall who Sreeram was!! stupid me! But as soon as I saw Meenaxi on his list!! I was sure, he should be undoubtedly a CINEMATOGRAPHER!

BTW did he do cinematography of Meenaxi?

I kinda think he is with Mani Ratnam?

PC Sriram is indeed a cinematographer. He shot Nayakan and Mouna Ragam for Mani Ratnam and directed Kuruthipunal, which was the Tamil remake of Drohkaal.

Santosh Sivan shot Meenaxi.

PC Sreeram is a Mani Ratnam staple - he has pretty much done all his films, he was in fact the first person to do a full feature film using the digital medium (Vanam Vasapadum - Tamil flick).

Between Meenaxi and Black i will take Meenaxi any time of the day, the reason i was intrigued was because each person when they list their "Best-Of" ,it gives us a window into their personal choice(s). Being a cinematographer i though he would list BLACK ( esp. given there has been a lot of hungama declaring it a masterpiece ) , i guess he felt otherwise . It is just funny how no one seems to list this latest masterpiece when just a few months back they were just flirting with it all the time

BTW Meenaxi was done by Santosh Sivan ( another master crafstman )

Because dvdsoil, mere bhaii, it was a PSEUDO MSTERPIECE!

I agree Sanotash Sivan is another MASTER of this ART! His Asoka and Terrorist were simply World Class!!

But in his last couple films he has lost his touch, one was Tehzeeb and another..hmm!! Cant remember..old age:wink: e

Oh just remembered Roger Ebert's two thumbs up masterpiece Balle Balle!!

Drohkaal was a Brilliant film, this was so down to earth and imho, is underated Nehlani's film..simply Brilliant!

Who directed for south? and did any one ever find a hindi dvd, by shemaroo etc? I would like to watch again!

Drohkaal DVD -
http://www.indiaplaza.com/catalog/catal ... d&place=us

Not sure if anyone else sells this other than indiaplaza ( DU ??). i actually own this one but yet to see it ( too many films to see so less time )

As for KuruthiPual it was directed by PC Sreeram ( i think) - any can confirm this ??

not a very impressive list. although i haven't seen either meenaxi or black. anyway, if we are speaking about visuals, i felt SLB's Devdas was eye candy

Yes but it was not piece of quote, visual art, e.g Fine art!

I only believe if your mind and heart says Amen to Devdas or Black being Visual Mastyerpieces or Classic masterpieces..then you are alright!!
Mine never said that!

Meenaxi, is a VISUAL ART masterpiece imho.

Each and every frame is a piece of an ART PICTURE/DRAWING! Just look at it with your pair of Tan ki Aankhen along with Mann ki Aankhen and Mind(need hindi translation) ki aankhen!

Eye candy = visual masterpiece !! It does not sound very appealing to me!

I'll think 1000X before calling Yaadein, Taal, KKKG, KHNH and all other eye candies a visual masterpiece!

I could just kiss this guy.

on Bhansali's Devdas - It's simply one of the most intoxicatingly beautiful films ever made. I still remember the words of one review which said it best: "Don't forget to breathe."

on Black - Ravi K. Chandran contributions to the authenticity of Bhansali's vision for the contrast between the main section's rich, sensual black and white photography and the expressively oversaturated colour tones in the film's extended epilogue.

on Meenaxi - Bright neon candy colours and noir shadows shot strikingly by Santosh Sivan. The film's perfect use of colour and lighting brings Hussain's fantasy world to life.

That was the first film in HD digital format. Vendi Mabbulu (telugu) seems to be the first film in digital format

https://eww.pavc.panasonic.co.jp/pro-av ... talWW.html

GUys check out Mohanlal's list... It lists Company as one of the best films !!!! Now this stinks..(just as Ghai's Taal stinks)... Why could he not include his own "Kathapurusham" ?