A movie enthusiast since childhood, Aryan’s journey from college festival victories to assisting renowned directors like Vinod Pradhan (Kalank) and Sudeep Chatterjee (Brahmastra) reflects his passion for cinema. His work on a documentary screened at the MAMI film festival in 2018, later nominated for the Dadasaheb Phalke Award in 2021, further attests to his rising prominence in the industry.

Aryan Desai is a cinematographer from Mumbai and has been in this field for the past two and a half years.

Aryan kicked off his career working under the guidance of DOP Vinod Pradhan on the film ‘Kalank’. Following this, he had the opportunity to assist Sudeep Chatterjee on 'Brahmastra', adding to his repertoire of experience. In total, he has contributed his skills to four feature films.

Beyond feature films, Aryan has also ventured into short films, web series, and corporate events, displaying versatility in his craft. His talent extends to directing, as evidenced by his work on a documentary that was screened at the prestigious MAMI Film Festival in 2018. This documentary garnered further acclaim by being nominated for the Dadasaheb Phalke Award in 2021, showcasing his growing influence and recognition in the industry.

Aryan fondly reminisces about his childhood, where he and his group of friends made a pact to watch a movie every week, followed by lively discussions and chill sessions. This ritual, he believes, played a significant role in shaping his future path. Blessed with supportive parents who encouraged him to pursue his passions, he was motivated to excel academically to secure admission to the college he liked. A pivotal moment came when his father brought home a DSLR camera as a gift, sparking his curiosity and passion for cameras and photography.

During his time as a mass media student, Aryan actively participated in college events, gaining valuable exposure. His first major assignment was as a photographer and videographer for a fundraiser, marking the beginning of his professional journey.

Following his junior college education, Aryan ventured into entrepreneurship, establishing a small event company that quickly gained momentum. He secured prestigious projects such as covering MasterChef Australia and promotional events for Mercedes, among others. Collaborating with clients allowed him to develop his unique style in photography and videography.

However, Aryan's true passion lay in storytelling and cinematography. After a year of success with his event company, he decided to pivot towards his desired career path, and shut down his event business to focus on filmmaking. Collaborating with friends, he embarked on projects ranging from ad films to short films, honing his skills.

Driven by his ambition to become a cinematographer, Aryan took proactive steps to network with and learn from industry professionals, eagerly seeking opportunities to assist and learn from veterans. These small but determined steps paved the way for his eventual success in the world of cinematography.

After completing college, Aryan had the opportunity to work with Vinod Pradhan, thanks to his parents' connection with him. This experience marked a significant shift for him as he transitioned from college to the professional film industry. Being on a real movie set was eye-opening and served as a reality check, contributing to his personal and professional growth. It took him around five to six days to acclimatise to his new environment and interact with his team members.

Reflecting on the COVID-19 pandemic, Aryan shares the challenges he faced during the initial lockdown period. With no work opportunities available, he found himself feeling restless and confined within the walls of his home.

However, amidst the uncertainty, he seized an opportunity to work with a group of retail shop owners in Chhattisgarh who were seeking to digitise and promote their businesses. Additionally, he established an in-house production company, focusing on creating music videos and campaigns. Despite these endeavours, he admits that the lockdown posed significant challenges, particularly during the initial days when he found himself with little to no work.

Aryan emphasises the effectiveness of setting smaller, achievable goals to attain larger ambitions. He credits his approach of setting smaller milestones for his success, citing examples from winning college festivals to establishing his event company and eventually working with Director Vinod Pradhan.

Talking about his achievements, Aryan says that joining the crew of Kalank as a trainee and progressing to the role of second AC was a significant accomplishment for him considering his humble beginnings as an intern. He also highlights his experience as the first AC in films like Chehre, featuring Amitabh Bachchan, Emraan Hashmi, and Anu Kapoor, as major milestones in his career.

Given the opportunity to travel back in time in a time machine, Aryan expresses a desire to instil more confidence in himself, particularly in valuing his work. He mentions working on numerous free projects in the past to showcase his skills, but in hindsight, he wishes he had placed more value on his contributions.

Talking about his role models, Aryan says that he draws inspiration from acclaimed cinematographer Emmanuel Lubezki, known for his work on films like Birdman and The Revenant, as well as from versatile actor Tom Hanks. He says that his list of role models remains open as he continues to learn from various personalities. He also acknowledges the unwavering support and motivation he has received from his parents, grandparents, teachers, and friends throughout his journey.

In terms of personal growth, Aryan believes in the importance of passion and hard work. He stresses the need for patience, particularly in an industry where work may not always be consistent. Professionally, he underscores the significance of networking and standing out from the crowd, noting that expanding one's connections can lead to better opportunities in the film industry.

He advises aspiring filmmakers to remain open to learning, work diligently to innovate, and maintain belief in themselves. He underscores the importance of passion and humility in achieving success in the industry, asserting that dedication and a genuine love for one's craft are essential ingredients for excellence.