Ashok Mehta (1947–2012) was an Indian cinematographer known for his work in Hindi cinema across more than three decades. Largely self-taught, he rose from a clapper boy in the Bombay film industry to become one of the most respected directors of photography of his generation, winning multiple National Film Awards and Filmfare Awards.
| Name | Ashok Mehta |
|---|---|
| Born | 1947 |
| Died | 2012 |
| Nationality | Indian |
| Profession | Cinematographer, occasional director |
| Industry | Hindi cinema (Bollywood) |
| Notable for | Cinematography in Utsav, 36 Chowringhee Lane, Bandit Queen, Moksha |
Mehta entered the film industry at a young age, beginning with menial jobs on film sets in Bombay. Without formal training in cinematography, he learned the craft through years of on-set apprenticeship, working his way up through the camera department. This self-taught background gave him a distinctive practical sensibility that he carried into his later work.
Mehta worked across mainstream Hindi films and parallel cinema, collaborating with directors including Aparna Sen, Girish Karnad, Shekhar Kapur, Mahesh Bhatt and Subhash Ghai. His ability to move between intimate art-house lighting and large commercial productions made him a sought-after collaborator.
Mehta directed the feature film Moksha: Salvation (2001), starring Arjun Rampal and Manisha Koirala, which he also photographed.
Mehta is remembered for bringing a painter's eye to Indian cinematography, particularly in handling natural light, period interiors and outdoor landscapes. His work on Bandit Queen, shot largely on location in the Chambal region, is frequently cited as a landmark in Indian cinema for its raw, unstylised realism. His career also illustrated the possibility of rising to the top of a technical craft in Indian cinema without formal film school training.
Ashok Mehta died in 2012 after a prolonged illness.