Delhiwale: A videographer’s dream fulfilled | Latest News Delhi - Hindustan Times
close_game
close_game

Delhiwale: A videographer’s dream fulfilled

Hindustan Times | ByMayank Austen Soofi
Jan 17, 2018 11:22 AM IST

When Raju was growing up, he had a consistent, compelling dream. Someday, someday… he would become a videographer.

Raju at a wedding banquet hall in central Delhi.(Mayank Austen Soofi / HT Photo)
Raju at a wedding banquet hall in central Delhi.(Mayank Austen Soofi / HT Photo)

Not everybody’s childhood vision comes true. But in Raju’s case, he’d already set up shop as an independent wedding videographer at the age of 19.

Hindustan Times - your fastest source for breaking news! Read now.

Now in his 20s, we meet him at a wedding banquet hall in central Delhi, at 10 in the evening, waiting for the guests.

Every time a person steps inside the hall, Raju leaps from his chair, turns on the camera flash and catches the action.

“I love capturing their expressions,” says Raju, whose career has been rapid but difficult.

As a teenager, he learned the ropes as an all-purpose helper to several videographers, which meant doing all the thankless work — carrying cables, holding the flashlight and generally catering to the endless needs of the professionals.

Within five years, he had become sufficiently adept to go independent and now has his own helper.

The only hitch is the seasonal nature of weddings, which thrive in wintertime but then tend to slacken. “When there aren’t any weddings, I work in card shops.” A particular perk of the job is the constant attention he inevitably gets.

Raju enters the banquet hall reserved for men and every eye is following him, waiting to be noticed. After doing the round, he heads for the hall for women.

He will return home early next morning, after a hard day’s night.

Unveiling 'Elections 2024: The Big Picture', a fresh segment in HT's talk show 'The Interview with Kumkum Chadha', where leaders across the political spectrum discuss the upcoming general elections. Watch now!
SHARE THIS ARTICLE ON
Share this article
SHARE
Story Saved
Live Score
OPEN APP
Saved Articles
Following
My Reads
Sign out
New Delhi 0C
Tuesday, March 19, 2024
Start 14 Days Free Trial Subscribe Now
Follow Us On