Three years at the institute had not taught me as much as two weeks on the sets of 'Susman.'
— Rajiv Menon
When '36 Chowringhee Lane' was released in 1981, I was a student of the Film and Television Institute of Tamil Nadu. Everyone who had seen the film was very impressed with its flawless direction and acting. But we, cinematography students, were stunned by the visual style, which was truly international.
Ashok Mehta was the man who brought contrast and lighting back to mainstream Hindi film cinematography.
Ashok Mehta did not go to any institute. He did not carry the baggage of formal education.
