Romancing The Frame: A Cinematographic Analysis Of Film 96 (2018)

Abstract

This paper critically examines the cinematography of C. Prem Kumar's 96 (2018), a Tamil romantic drama that received critical acclaim for its visual storytelling. Through a qualitative analysis of the film's mise-en-scène, lighting, camera movement, and composition, this study shows how cinematographer Mahendiran Jayaraju uses a specific visual vocabulary to express the nostalgia, longing, and intimacy underlying the film's narrative. The cinematography in 96 not only enhances the emotional impact of the story but also contributes to the thematic exploration of memory, love, and the passage of time in the film.