Indian Filmmakers Turn to iPhones for Award-Winning Cinema

Key Takeaways

• Multiple Indian directors have shot critically acclaimed films entirely on iPhones and smartphones
• C U Soon won multiple Kerala State Film Awards despite being shot entirely on iPhones during the COVID-19 lockdown
• MAMI's smartphone filmmaking initiative, mentored by Sriram Raghavan, is training emerging creators

Vishal Bhardwaj shot his 2023 sci-fi romance on an iPhone 14 Pro. Mahesh Narayanan won multiple Kerala State Film Awards for a thriller filmed entirely on iPhones during lockdown. At this year's Mumbai Academy of the Moving Image festival, Andhadhun director Sriram Raghavan mentored a new generation of smartphone filmmakers.

Indian cinema is undergoing a quiet shift. A growing number of directors are abandoning traditional camera setups for smartphone cameras, proving that compelling storytelling doesn't require expensive equipment or massive production crews.

The Films Making Waves

The most high-profile example is C U Soon, Mahesh Narayanan's 2020 Malayalam screenlife thriller. The 98-minute film stars Fahadh Faasil, Roshan Mathew, and Darshana Rajendran. It follows a young man investigating his cousin's missing fiancée through video calls, CCTV footage, and social media after a digital suicide note surfaces.

Narayanan shot the entire film on iPhones during the COVID-19 lockdown. The constraints became features. The screenlife format, where the story unfolds through screens and digital interfaces, suited both the pandemic-era production limits and the thriller's plot. C U Soon went on to win multiple Kerala State Film Awards, including Best Director for Narayanan.

Vishal Bhardwaj took a different approach with Fursat, a 30-minute sci-fi romance released on Apple's official YouTube channel in 2023. Starring Ishaan Khatter and Wamiqa Gabbi, the film follows a man obsessed with controlling the future who risks losing what matters most in the present. Bhardwaj used the iPhone 14 Pro to blend romance, fantasy, and suspense through time travel sequences.

Emerging Directors Push the Format Further

Beyond established names, newer filmmakers are using smartphone cameras to tackle technical challenges that would typically require expensive gear.

Shreela Agarwal returned to filmmaking after a career-ending boxing injury. Her short film 11.11 follows two women navigating Mumbai's nightlife during a first date. Agarwal used the iPhone's ProRes RAW capture and stabilization features to shoot difficult low-light scenes across beaches and city streets while maintaining cinematic movement.

Ritesh Sharma's She Sells Seashells is set in Goa, where a teenage migrant girl dreams of entering an upscale seaside restaurant. Sharma used Cinematic mode on the iPhone to blur the lines between reality and imagination, creating dreamlike sequences that reflected the protagonist's emotional world. He also relied on the device's onboard audio tools for sound capture.

MAMI's Role in Training New Filmmakers

The Mumbai Academy of the Moving Image has formalized smartphone filmmaking education through its mentorship program. Sriram Raghavan, known for directing the award-winning Andhadhun, served as mentor for this year's initiative.

“Filmmaking today is increasingly about creative vision rather than expensive equipment, with smartphones helping democratise the art form for emerging creators.”

— Sriram Raghavan, filmmaker (via The Indian Express)

The program focuses on both technical skills and storytelling fundamentals. The goal isn't just to teach people how to shoot on phones. It's to demonstrate that the barrier to entry for professional-quality filmmaking has dropped dramatically.

Why Smartphones Work for Indie Cinema

Modern smartphone cameras offer several advantages for independent filmmakers working with limited budgets.

• ProRes RAW capture provides post-production flexibility similar to professional cinema cameras
• Built-in stabilization reduces the need for gimbals and steadicams
• Cinematic mode enables shallow depth of field effects
• Compact size allows shooting in tight spaces and public locations without permits
• Onboard audio tools can capture usable production sound

The tradeoff is sensor size. Smartphone sensors are physically smaller than cinema cameras, which affects low-light performance and dynamic range. But as Agarwal's 11.11 demonstrates, skilled filmmakers can work around these limitations with careful shot planning and post-production work.

What This Means for Indian Film

The rise of smartphone filmmaking in India isn't just about cost savings. It's changing who gets to make films. Directors who might never have accessed traditional production infrastructure can now create work that competes at film festivals and wins state awards.

The screenlife format that Narayanan used for C U Soon has also opened new narrative possibilities. Stories that unfold through screens, video calls, and social media feeds feel authentic when shot on the same devices audiences use daily.

For aspiring filmmakers, the message from established directors like Bhardwaj and Raghavan is clear: the equipment you already own might be enough to start.

Frequently Asked Questions

Which Indian films have been shot entirely on iPhones?

Notable examples include C U Soon (2020), a Malayalam thriller by Mahesh Narayanan that won multiple Kerala State Film Awards, and Fursat (2023), a sci-fi romance by Vishal Bhardwaj starring Ishaan Khatter and Wamiqa Gabbi.

Can smartphone cameras produce cinema-quality footage?

Modern flagship phones with ProRes RAW capture, stabilization, and Cinematic mode can produce footage suitable for theatrical release and streaming platforms, as demonstrated by multiple award-winning Indian films.

What are the limitations of shooting films on smartphones?

Smaller sensors compared to cinema cameras mean reduced low-light performance and dynamic range. Filmmakers need careful planning for challenging lighting conditions.

How is MAMI supporting smartphone filmmakers?

The Mumbai Academy of the Moving Image runs a mentorship program for smartphone filmmakers, with established directors like Sriram Raghavan (Andhadhun) training emerging creators.

Source: mint / Tarunya Sanjay