Renowned Indian cinematographer Ravi Varman, recently inducted into the prestigious American Society of Cinematographers (ASC), reflected on his unexpected journey into the world of filmmaking, describing it as a series of accidents.

In a heartfelt recollection, Varman shared the moment that first ignited his passion for images—a blurry photograph of his late mother. As a 12-year-old boy growing up in a village, he found the picture in a neighbor’s wedding album and secretly took it, cherishing it as a rare memory of his mother, who had passed away years earlier.

“Children love their mothers. I loved mine too. In villages, people don’t take many photographs. After two-three years of her passing, I wanted to remember her face. One of my neighbors had clicked some pictures at a wedding. In that picture, my mother is standing outside our hut, and her silhouette is a little out of focus,” he recalled.

Varman, now one of India’s most celebrated cinematographers, has worked on acclaimed films like Barfi!, Tamasha, Sanju, and Ponniyin Selvan. His unique visual storytelling and artistic approach have earned him international recognition, culminating in his recent invitation to join ASC—a rare honor for an Indian cinematographer.

Despite his achievements, Varman remains humble, crediting life’s serendipitous moments for shaping his career. His journey from a small village to global recognition is a testament to the power of passion and perseverance in the world of cinema.