We had close to 45 minute takes in almost every sequence without any rehearsals or marks for the focus pullers.” “At first I was a little reluctant as it was a feature, but soon enough I realized what we were after. “When I first met Ram, he said, ‘Mitesh, I would like to shoot this film in a particular way-no lights, 360 degree shooting, long takes, really long takes, freedom for the actors and let’s be completely candid in our approach,” recalled Mirchandani. The NYFA grad has worked on a few commercials with Madhvani and working with him on Neerja was a no brainer. Working as the cinematographer with one of the best Indian directors in the business, Ram Madhvani, was New York Film Academy alumnus Mitesh Mirchandani. Released in the US over the weekend, the Indian film Neerja has been receiving numerous praises for actress Sonam Kapoor’s portrayal of the life of the courageous Neerja Bhanot, who sacrificed her life while protecting the lives of 359 passengers on the hijacked Pan Am flight 73 in 1986.