Ace cinematographer Ravi Varman, who has films like Barfi!, Goliyon Ki Raasleela Ram-Leela, Jagga Jasoos and Ponniyin Selvan to his credit, has shot Lyca Productions’ Indian 2, which hits screens on July 12.

Talking about working with Shankar again after their 2005 blockbuster Anniyan, the cinematographer says, “With Shankar sir, he always defines the boundary. He’s very clear and writes what is needed. Within that boundary, I can play, and he will provide all the technology that I may want to recreate his vision, which is so original.”

After the director had narrated the story, the cinematographer says it felt like “our own version of a James Bond film”. “Like the recent Bond films, every scene was an event, with each one having a unique setting, like a place without gravity, a yacht, a gold palace and so on. We even have a unicycle chase,” he reveals.

The film also is his third one with Kamal Haasan. Explaining the challenge involved in shooting an actor wearing prosthetic makeup, he shares, “Real skin has some moisture and is reflective, but with prosthetics, you get an unnatural shine. It requires sensitive handling of lighting and lensing.”

Immediately said yes when Shankar sir narrated the film to me, because it was my dream to work with him,” shares National Award-winning actor Bobby Simha, who plays a key role in Indian 2.

The actor, who has been part of Jigarthanda, Salaar, 777 Charlie and Petta, among others, calls working with Kamal Haasan a learning experience. “When we slightly get stuck, he gives an idea to add a minute smile and that smile would go on to make a difference. I learnt from Kamal sir to work on such details,” he says.