Hemant Chaturvedi Archives

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Hemant Chaturvedi

Hemant Chaturvedi spent around 30 years working as a Cinematographer in Mumbai, before moving away from that profession in 2015. His cinematography credits include films like Company, Makdee, Maqbool, 15 Park Avenue, Ishaqzaade, Kurbaan, Brothers, and even an animation film called Arjun The Warrior Prince. He returned to full-time still photography and only works on his own projects. Which range from Dhrupad Gurukuls, his project for the sesquicentennial of his Alma Mater, St.Xavier’s College Mumbai, to the photo documentation of India’s Single Screen Cinema heritage, documenting old British era graveyards and cemeteries, Zoroastrian Aram Gahs (cemeteries), abandoned Hindu idols etc. etc.

The Single Screen Cinemas Project is the largest photo-documentation ever attempted on a subject like this anywhere in the world. Hemant has driven over 50,000km alone in his jeep, and after visiting 20 states and over 1000 towns, he has photographed more than 1250 single screen cinema theatres.

His other significant project, a documentary film called “Chhayaankan-The Management of Shadows” is his tribute to his Cinematography peers, and an attempt to introduce the human element in a very challenging profession. It remains the first and only film ever made on this subject in India.

Hemant is 57, and lives in Mumbai.

Issue 2

The Cinemas of India – Memory and Loss

by Hemant Chaturvedi December 23, 2025 0

In almost 7 years, I have driven in excess of 60,000km through 21 states of India and photographed over 1250 Single Screen Cinemas in more than 1000 towns and cities.... Read more.