I like working with William David because he is Kannada cinema’s stuntman DOP: Anup Bhandari

Director Anup Bhandari is all of three films old, but one thing that has remained constant is his collaboration with cinematographer William David. “When I started work on Rangitaranga, I had got Lance Kaplan as the DOP, as we had worked together on short films earlier when I was still in the US. When I came back to India, my father suggested to have someone local as well, because we were using a two-camera set-up anyway. Lance would not be able to convey what he wants to the light boys and other technicians. He then brought up William’s name because they’d worked together on a commercial or so,” says Anup.

After the first 20 days of shoot of Rangitaranga, the team had to take a break because the industry itself was on a break for the 100 years of cinema celebration. By then there were budget constraints also and Anup had to send Lance back. “Thankfully, I was confident that William could handle the rest of the film and that’s how our journey together started. Once I finished Rangitaranga and started Rajaratha, William was an obvious choice because he’s Kannada cinema’s stunt DOP. If you don’t have a crane or a jimmy jib, he will climb a tree and get you that aerial shot that you need. Also, he is a multi-talented handyman on set. If there is an issue with the rain machine or with the pyrotechnics, he will fix it. He has even done stunt driving for us. In Rangitaranga, there is a scene in which a jeep skids and parks in front of a car. William was the driver who got us that shot. He gives his everything when he is on the set,” adds Anup.

Their third film together, Vikrant Rona is only three weeks away from release and throughout the promotions so far, both Anup and leading man Sudeep have repeatedly spoken about William’s work and how that will be one of the most talked about elements of the fantasy-action-drama.