Pehla Anda on set

Selected Work · Cinematography · 2023

Pehla
Anda.

Type Short Film
Directors Vritti · Koshika
Genre Comedy · Social
Setting Rustic Punjabi Village
Director of Photography (DoP) — Debut
01 —

Breaking taboos
with humor

Pehla Anda is a short film set in a rustic Punjabi village, tackling the subject of menstruation with warmth and humor. The story revolves around a father and brother who find themselves in an unfamiliar and awkward situation when the daughter of the house experiences her first period.

Instead of a dramatic or preachy approach, the film uses comedy to normalize conversations about menstruation — breaking societal taboos while keeping the narrative lighthearted and deeply relatable.

This project marked my debut as Director of Photography. My role encompassed shot composition, lighting, framing, color grading, and overall visual storytelling — a full creative mandate.

My Role
Director of Photography (DoP)
Directors
Vritti Bhardwaj · Koshika
Camera
Prajakta · Yash Dahiya
Visual Tone
Warm · Naturalistic · Earthy
Filmed
30 April 2023
On set filming
On Set · Outdoor Scene
Clapperboard
Scene 7 · Shot 2 · Take 1
Camera operation
DoP · Camera Setup
02 —

Visual
approach

⬡
Framing & Composition
Wide shots establish the rustic village environment. Intimate close-ups capture expressions during emotional beats. Symmetry and dynamic angles amplify comedic sequences without losing visual authenticity.
◐
Lighting & Mood
Naturalistic warm and earthy tones reflect the authenticity of a Punjabi household. Soft indoor lighting balances realism with aesthetic appeal, with controlled shadows for impactful moments.
⟳
Camera Movement
Handheld in chaotic and comedic moments for spontaneity. Static compositions hold awkward silences. Slow zooms and tracking shots mark key realizations and emotional turns.
Filming scene
"The stronger the basic story, the better the jokes play against it."
— Billy Wilder · Playboy Interview · 1963
Lighting setup
Lighting · Reflector Setup
Camera team
Camera Team · Gimbal Op
03 —

My contributions

C.01
Shot Division & Planning
Developed a detailed shot list and storyboard for seamless storytelling. Collaborated with the directors on the visual approach for each scene, planning tonal transitions between comedic, emotional, and impactful moments to maintain consistency.
C.02
Lighting Design & Execution
Managed both natural and artificial lighting setups to maintain consistent exposure and mood. Used diffusers and reflectors to soften light in close-up scenes, adjusting dynamically to support the shifting emotions within each sequence.
C.03
Color Grading & Post-Production
Designed a warm, earthy color palette that reflected the cultural richness of the Punjabi village setting. Applied subtle color correction to ensure natural skin tones, immersive environments, and a visual language that honoured the film's comedic yet heartfelt tone.
C.04
Camera Operation & Performance Capture
Operated the camera to capture nuanced performances and comedic timing. Ensured smooth indoor–outdoor transitions and captured reaction shots effectively — critical to the film's delivery of humor and emotion.
04 —

Recognition
& awards

🏆
Best Live Action Film
3rd Himachal Short Film Festival · 2023 · Court
🎬
Best Female Director
3rd Himachal Short Film Festival · 2023 · Pehla Anda
◯
Official Selection
Short Film Festival Circuit · 2023
★
Chitkara University
Student Film Production · Himachal Pradesh

Both films produced during the same cohort at Chitkara University earned recognition at the 3rd Himachal Short Film Festival — Court winning Best Live Action Film, Pehla Anda's directors earning Best Female Director.

05 —

Final outcome

A debut that shaped how I see light, story, and screen.
Pehla Anda delivered an engaging and meaningful narrative, using humor to address an important social topic. As my first project as DoP, it allowed me to experiment with framing, lighting, and shot composition while deepening skills in color grading and visual storytelling.

The key challenge — maintaining spontaneity while executing well-composed shots — taught me how cinematography can either serve or undermine a performance. I learned to let the camera breathe with the comedy.
🎯
Debut as DoP / Cinematographer
Full creative ownership of visual language
🌅
Naturalistic Lighting Mastery
Dynamic indoor–outdoor adjustments
🎨
Color Grading Pipeline
Warm Punjabi palette — cultural authenticity
🏆
Festival Circuit Recognition
Himachal Short Film Fest · 2023
Back to work Yash Dahiya · 2025