Working as a child actor with the likes of actors Shah Rukh Khan and Preity Zinta in Kal Ho Naa Ho (2003), one would assume that acting would have been an obvious career choice for Athit Naik. But while he enjoyed his life as an actor on set when he was a child, he realised that cinematography was his true calling.

Naik, who played the role of Shiv Kapur, Zinta’s onscreen brother in KHNH, says, “Being a child actor was an amazing experience... You get to enjoy being pampered on set and having fun, but also learn and introspect. The environment was positive and I’ve been very fortunate to have had that. I credit most of my maturity in life to having an opportunity to be associated with the film fraternity as a child. I won’t change it for anything.”

The 30-year-old reveals that his last acting assignment was when he was 11, and he moved to the USA when he was 17 to pursue his studies. As for why he didn’t take up acting as his career as an adult, Naik says his interest lay elsewhere.

“I have friends in the acting world, and they were attracted to that and wanted to continue in this space. I have always been a voracious reader as a child, and for me, the plethora of untapped information was exciting. Even when we were shooting for KHNH, I would read on the set and had one suitcase full of books,” he tells us.

His love for cinematography also originated when he spent time watching the work of cinematographers on his projects. “I was fortunate to have had great cinematographers to look up to. I always thought that it was so fascinating. For me, a cinematographer is a magician on set. They would make anything look good,” he elaborates.

Naik, who has a bachelor’s degree in cinematography, worked in Los Angeles (LA), USA, for 11 years.

“I shot three feature films, which were screened at various film festivals. I also did a TV show and a bunch of commercials in LA. I got the chance to assist some great cinematographers. I always wanted to do this for a living,” he says, elaborating about his experience in the US.

Currently in India, he has already finished two OTT shows and is working on another. He is also working on a feature film. “I’m glad I found my calling as a cinematographer. Life has been good,” Naik concludes.