It was a quiet end for ace cinematographer Ashok Mehta who died at Kokilaben Dhirubhai Ambani Hospital in Mumbai on Wednesday afternoon. The 65-year-old,who kept a low-profile,was suffering from lung cancer for over a year. He is survived by his wife and son. Mehta,considered to be a stalwart cinematographer,started his journey in 1978 with a Hindi thriller Lal Kothi. It was Aparna Sens 36 Chowringhee Lane and Shyam Benegals Mandi and Trikaal,that brought his cinematic prowess to the fore. Filmmaker Subhash Ghai describes Mehta as an inspiration for cinematographers. Mehta was a pillar of strength for my company,Mukta Arts,and was a founder member of the Whistling Woods International. He was a great friend, said Ghai,who worked with him in Ram Lakhan,Saudagar,Khalnayak,Trimurti and Kisna. The veteran cinematographer was highly appreciated for his lighting in M F Husains Gaja Gamini (2000),and his grit came across in Shekhar Kapurs Bandit Queen (1995). Kapur tweeted his condolences: He taught me that my instincts were good,but only as good as my courage to follow them through. After a long stint as a cinematographer,Mehta directed his first film,Moksha,in 2001 and was instrumental in launching Arjun Rampal in Bollywood. After his directorial debut,Mehta continued to work as a cinematographer. Some of his works include Chalte Chalte,Pukar,God Tussi Great Ho. His last work on a feature film was for director Mrigdeep Singh Lambas Teen Thay Bhai (2011). He was a simple man,who worked very hard on every shot. His enthusiasm for the job hadnt died with age, said Lamba.
