Cinematographer Surya Balaji has received widespread acclaim for his impressive debut as Director of Photography on the family entertainer "Little Hearts." The film, starring Mouli Tanuj and Shivani Nagaram, surprised everyone at the box office and is being lauded for its relatable storytelling and captivating visuals.
Despite the modest ₹2.5 crore budget, Surya Balaji’s innovative guerrilla-style approach brought a much larger visual richness to "Little Hearts." Shooting candidly across Hyderabad and Bengaluru with a minimal crew, he harnessed natural light and real locations to highlight the film’s emotions and character chemistry. There were no elaborate sets—just authentic atmospheres and intimate close-ups that gave the movie its fresh texture.
Surya Balaji remarked that the success and audience turnout, especially in small-town theaters, exceeded his expectations as a first-time cinematographer. His visuals, matched with Sai Marthand’s direction, struck a perfect balance between realistic drama and light-hearted entertainment, proving that creative vision can elevate a film beyond budget constraints. The industry now looks forward to the next chapter in Surya Balaji’s promising career.
