“Nagabandham Will Deliver a Grand Visual and Divine Theatrical Experience” – DOP S. Soundararajan
‘Nagabandham – The Secret Treasure’, an epic adventure thriller starring Virat Karna and directed by Abhishek Nama, is gearing up for a worldwide release on July 3. Produced by Kishore Annapureddy and Nishita Nagireddy under the Nick Studios banner, the film features Nabha Natesh, Aishwarya Menon, Jagapathi Babu, Mahesh Manjrekar, and Rishabh Sawhney in pivotal roles. The promotional content released so far has generated tremendous excitement across the country.
Ahead of the release, cinematographer S. Soundararajan interacted with the media and shared insights into the making of the film.
How did you become a part of ‘Nagabandham’?
I had previously worked with Abhishek garu on Devil, and we developed a great rapport during that project. He began this film with a very ambitious vision. I was involved from the script stage itself. The core idea of Nagabandham excited all of us. We first focused on locking the story and then carefully planned how to present it in the most visually grand and engaging manner possible.
What was the most challenging aspect of your work on this film?
I have worked on fantasy films before and have experience creating visually elevated and stylized imagery. However, Nagabandham was unique because we wanted everything to feel natural and immersive. I approached every scene with realistic lighting and visual authenticity. We consciously avoided unnecessary glamour or exaggerated drama, ensuring that the audience remained completely absorbed in the story.
With a film of this scale involving extensive VFX, what challenges did you face as a cinematographer?
Visual effects are generally used for two purposes—either to create grandeur or to make something look convincingly real. Making VFX appear natural is one of the biggest challenges. For instance, it is practically impossible to take a massive crew and shoot extensively in the Himalayas. In such situations, VFX becomes essential. However, ensuring that those visuals blend seamlessly with reality requires tremendous effort. In Nagabandham, the VFX work has been designed to look highly realistic and organic.
The visuals look incredibly authentic. What kind of groundwork went into achieving that?
The director, art director, and I visited several temples as part of our research. We spent considerable time at the Sri Anantha Padmanabhaswamy Temple in Thiruvananthapuram, documenting every architectural and spiritual detail. While the film is inspired by elements of the temple, we created a fictional location called Srirangapuram, blending the grandeur of Srirangam and Thiruvananthapuram.
We conducted extensive research, and our art director Ashok garu built extraordinary sets. Walking into the Anantha Padmanabhaswamy Temple set genuinely feels like stepping into a real temple. Every detail was recreated with remarkable precision.
I have worked on large-scale productions before, but I had never seen sets of this magnitude. Lighting such massive sets and shooting them at a high scale was extremely challenging and rewarding.
How was your experience working with director Abhishek Nama?
Abhishek garu has written a remarkable story. His vision inspired the entire team from day one. As a director, he has surprised everyone with his clarity, visual understanding, and execution. He knows exactly what he wants and consistently brings out the best from every department.
There are reports that one particular sequence cost nearly ₹10 crore. Is that true?
Yes, because we continuously improved and expanded the scale of the film during production. Whenever we felt a set or sequence could be made more spectacular, the makers supported that vision. There were no compromises when it came to quality, and every major sequence was mounted on a grand scale.
Where was the film shot?
We filmed across multiple locations, including Hyderabad, Kerala, Tamil Nadu, and selected regions in the Himalayas, where several important sequences were shot.
Tell us about the producers’ support.
The producers fully backed Abhishek Nama’s vision. They never compromised on the scale required for the story. Their passion for cinema is evident in every frame of the film. They invested wholeheartedly to create a truly immersive theatrical experience for audiences.
How was Virat Karna’s dedication to the project?
Virat Karna is an extremely committed actor. He dedicated himself completely to this film. During the winter months, he performed demanding underwater sequences in freezing conditions. Even when he was unwell and running a fever, he reported to the sets and continued shooting. His commitment and hard work will definitely be visible on screen.
What would you say is the film’s biggest highlight?
One of the biggest highlights is the Anantha Padmanabhaswamy Temple-inspired setting and the sequences that unfold within it. They are visually spectacular. The climax is another major attraction. It is mounted on a massive scale and is designed to leave audiences mesmerized.
We also created a gigantic statue for the film, with the involvement of some of the country’s leading experts. The scale of the craftsmanship is extraordinary.
The film appears deeply rooted in mythology and spirituality.
Absolutely. Every visual in the film has been designed with authenticity in mind. Even during production, there was a strong sense of devotion among the team. Crew members would leave their footwear outside before entering the temple sets. A dedicated priest conducted rituals before important shoots, creating a spiritually immersive atmosphere on set.
The film blends mythology, fiction, and drama into a visually stunning cinematic experience. We also consulted the chief priest associated with the Travancore tradition and incorporated several intricate details to ensure authenticity.
Did you use any special camera equipment for the film?
Yes. Since the sets were enormous, one of my biggest challenges was capturing their full scale in a single shot. To achieve this, we used a highly advanced drone system. We filmed a continuous shot starting from the temple entrance all the way to the Padmanabhaswamy idol. It required extensive rehearsals and multiple takes, but the final result turned out beautifully.
How important is the music to the film?
The music plays a vital role in enhancing the film’s divine atmosphere. During production, we often shot scenes with musical references already in place. For every major sequence, we had a clear idea of the background score, which helped us design camera movements and visuals that complemented the emotional tone of the music.
What kind of experience can audiences expect from ‘Nagabandham’?
Nagabandham is designed to engage, entertain, and spiritually immerse audiences. It combines mythology, adventure, mystery, and breathtaking visuals into one cinematic journey. The film will offer a grand theatrical spectacle while also providing a deeply divine and emotional experience. I am confident audiences will leave the theatres mesmerized by its visual richness and scale.
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