Abhiram Mishra, the emerging DOP (director of photography) is the child of Odisha who has carved a niche for himself in Bollywood. He is currently working in ‘Rangadari’ and also at Ollywood in Susant Mani’s ‘Sweetheart’. Though it still long way to go, Abhiram looks back to his journey with us.

It was never ‘science’ for Abhiram Mishra. It is always ‘arts’. He is always inclined more towards creating than experimenting. He is a poet but he writes not with words but images. He is painter but he paints not with colours but light. He speaks but silently. It is his pictures that speak a thousand words. He recreates reality on screen. It is his power, his creativity. It takes him to another dimension and differentiates from the crowd.

Abhiram Mishra didn’t know that he is going to be in photography in future when he is born to Gadadhara Misra and Rukmani Mishra in Kaduapada of Jagatsinghpur. After school, he took science in his plus two and physics honours in graduation at Swami Vivekanand Memorail Collage, Jagatsinghpur. Being a science student, Abhiram always wanted to continue his studies in the same stream and do MCA. But during his +2, it was his elder brother Asutosh Mishra who brought him information on the newly opened Film and Television Institute of Odisha. Enlightened by Surya Mishra, a trained professional of Hollywood and maker of film “Baje Bainshi Baje Ghungura”, he told Abhiram about the different aspect and prospect of film course available at FTIO. Being confused Abhiram applied and selected for cinematography course initially though he didn’t take admission at the FTIO as everyone agrees that Pune Film institute is the most prestigious institute for film making, he also wanted to pursue the course there. After graduation, he applied for both FTII and FTIO and got selected. At that time Surendra Sahoo, the cameraman of the first odia colour film and FTII alumini, was head of the department of cinematography course at FTIO. Seeing not much difference between the two institutes, Abhiram’s brother suggested for studying at FTIO. Abhiram was admitted at FTIO and started his first year of cinematography course, though in the mind he was still confused between whether to make career in computer or cinematography. During his first year, there is black&white photography course in which students have to take photo on film and develop and print the same. This particular thing changed and made Abhiram to come to a decision. When he developed and printed his own taken pictures in the lab, the image formation – when the pictures took shape and formed on paper, it was proved to be a goose bumping moment for Abhiram. It gave him a feeling similar to that of giving birth to a child. This sublime feeling of a creation finally made Abhiram absolutely sure to continue the cinematography course with any further doubt.

With family support, he continued and passed out from Film and Television Institue of Odisha which is known as Biju Patnaik Film and Television Institue of Odisha(BPFTIO) now. Abhiram’s father always wanted him to do a job, but his guide and inspiration Surendra Sahoo groomed and made him realize the advantage of freelancing. He did many documentaries and other shoots in initial days and these trials and error again made him realized the rule of physics that ‘efficiency can’t be hundred percent’. One needs to give his best input and expect the best in return. With this learning and commitment, Abhiram headed towards Bollywood – only to give his best and prove his talent.

Struggle of Abhiram started at Bombay. Being novice, he didn’t aware how to find the opportunities. Even the institute he passed from was not well known to all. Initially he started to contact cameramen working in film line but most of the time he greeted with a negative reply. Later he tried to contact Ishwar R. Bidri, cameraman of Damini, Border, and other movies. After many reminders and contacts, Sri Bidri being impressed with Abhiram’s strong formal education from a film institute, he gave scope to assist him with his films. Abhiram worked endlessly with numerous projects and finally went ahead from assistant to the main cameraman. He even associated with the premier film production house ‘Rajashri’. ‘Isi Life Mein’ becomes Abhiram’s first product in Bollywood as cameraman. And to addition he has done more than 15 feature films in both Odia and hindi including many documentaries, serials. Abhiram has touched success in every sphere and is now one of the well known name in both Mumbai, and Odisha.