Deval Samanta

Background

About Deval Samanta

Deval Samanta is a Mumbai-based Director of Photography. He earned his specialisation in Cinematography from the esteemed Film and Television Institute of India (FTII), Pune, in 2006. Prior to this, he completed his undergraduate studies in Mass Communication and Videography at St. Xavier's College, Kolkata, in 2003. Notably, his educational journey has been rooted in Xavier's institutions throughout. Mr. Samanta initially honed his skills as a gaffer for a duration of seven years following his film school training. In his formative years, he held various roles within the realm of cinematography, including Photographer, Gaffer, Assistant Cinematographer, Camera Operator, and Second Unit DoP. Currently, he has established himself as an independent freelance Cinematographer/ Director of Photography, amassing an impressive portfolio spanning feature films, advertising films, short films, music videos, and documentaries over the course of two decades. Mr. Samanta is affectionately referred to as a "light ferry" due to his exceptional ability to artistically manipulate light on any given cinematic canvas. His work is characterised by a meticulous attention to detail, and he is particularly passionate about orchestrating grand spectacles on a scale akin to a Magnum Opus. Furthermore, he holds the distinction of being one of the pioneering Indian Cinematographers to have completed the Unreal Fellowship V6 in 2021. His cinematic contributions have been recognised with prestigious accolades, including the Cannes Lion and the Dadasaheb Phalke Award. Beyond his cinematic pursuits, Deval Samanta possesses a strong athletic background, having achieved National-level recognition as an athlete and basketball player. Lastly, he is the visionary founder of eyediate Lab, a creative venture that encapsulates his dedication to the art and science of cinematography.