R Rathnavelu, one of India’s reputed cinematographers, is disarmingly warm during this interview at Hyderabad’s Annapurna Studios Annexe. He has been finalising the post production for director Buchi Babu Sana’s Telugu film Peddi, starring Ram Charan and Janhvi Kapoor, releasing on June 4. Expectations ride high on the film but Rathnavelu remains unfazed. “We have worked for nearly two years. Peddi is a mainstream commercial film that is also deeply emotional. I try to raise the bar with each of my films, and Peddi has been creatively satisfying,” says Rathnavelu, or Randy as he is referred to in film circles.He has been a cinematographer for more than three decades. For the unversed, he was drawn to cinema after watching director Mani Ratnam and cinematographer PC Sreeram’s early films. After graduating in physics, Rathnavelu enrolled in the Madras Film Institute and later assisted cinematographer Rajiv Menon for Mani Ratnam’s Bombay.Before discussing Peddi, I ask him how he has managed to keep his work relevant over the years. He says with a smile, “Some of my peers might wind down with a drink after shooting, but I prefer reading or watching films. I do it for the love of cinema, not merely because I want to stay up to date.”Rathnavelu’s association with Buchi Babu Sana began when the latter was in the writing team of director Sukumar’s 1-Nenokkadine and Rangasthalam, but the offer for Peddi came from Ram Charan. Rathnavelu recalls, “Charan called and said he wanted me for this film. Buchi Babu visited me in Chennai for a story narration and I was impressed. I choose a film only if I like the script. If I feel otherwise, I express my opinion. Rajinikanth sir appreciated me once when I told him upfront that I did not like an idea.”