Ace cameraman and director Jeeva (44) passed away in St Petersberg , Russia, following cardiac arrest on Tuesday morning at 7.30 am India time. He was shooting for a Tamil film – Dham Dhoom starring Kangana Ranaut and south star Jayem Ravi. His body is expected to be flown to Chennai on Thursday.
Jeeva had directed Abhishek Bachchan and Bhumika Chawla in Run (2004) and Tusshar Kapoor and Anita in Yeh Dil (2003). He was more of a Priyadarshan regular as a cameraman having done Hera Pheri, Yeh Tera Ghar Yeh Mera Ghar, Hulchul and Bhagam Bhag with him. He was also the cinematographer for Hindustani, Khushi and Muqabala Muqabala song fame Gentleman (Tamil).
Jackie Shroff who had worked with him in Hulchul and Bhagam Bhag expressed grief and praised Jeeva. "Jeeva was a master in compositing the face light falling on an actor especially during their close-up shots. He was a magician who could enhance the impact of the actor's ex-pressions in such shots," Jackie said, "Jeeva was also one of the jolliest technicians I have met in my 24 year career. I would attend Jeeva's funeral once the body was flown to Chennai."
When we broke the news to Suneil Shetty who had produced Bhagam Bhag, Jeeva's last Bollywood film, he was shocked. He told us, "This is a big loss for me and I have lost a good friend. He was not only a great cinematographer but also a very humble man."
Tusshar Kapoor could not remember his Yeh Dil director. He told us, "I am not aware of anyone by this name." When we reminded him of his film with the director-cinematographer, he still maintained that he did not know anybody by the name of Jeeva.
Jeeva was a big name in the south film industry and had recently delivered a super hit in Tamil, Unnale Unnale starring Bollywood starlet Tanisha. He is survived by his wife Annesha, who was the costume designer of Jeeva's films, and two children.
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