Cinematographer Ashok Mehta's life to be chronicled in coffee-table book
What's the story
Amit Ashar, a renowned still photographer, is working on a coffee-table book that chronicles the life and career of legendary cinematographer Ashok Mehta. The book will feature an extensive collection of photographs taken by Ashar over 30 years, capturing Mehta's filmmaking journey and illustrious career. It will be released in late 2026, Bollywood Hungama revealed. The book will also include write-ups from some of Indian cinema's most respected filmmakers and celebrities who closely worked with Mehta.
Career highlights
Mehta's career as a cinematographer
Mehta, who started as a runway hooker, went on to become a National Award-winning cinematographer.
He was among the highest-paid technicians of his generation and worked with both art-house and mainstream commercial filmmakers.
His most-acclaimed work includes Aparna Sen's 36 Chowringhee Lane (1981), Shyam Benegal's Mandi (1983), Gulzar's Ijaazat (1987), Girish Karnad's Utsav (1984), Subhash Ghai's Ram Lakhan (1989), and Shekhar Kapur's Bandit Queen (1994).
Personal tribute
Ashar's personal tribute to his mentor
Ashar has reportedly been working on this book for a year and considers it a deeply personal tribute.
He has described Mehta as his mentor, guiding light, and close friend.
Mehta was born in 1946 and died in 2012 at the age of 65 after battling advanced lung cancer.
He also worked on God Tussi Great Ho, No Entry, and Waqt.