Vierendrra Lalit (born 16 March 1969, Dhimahi village, Bulandshahr district, Uttar Pradesh, India) is an Indian cinematographer, film director, writer, and documentary filmmaker. He has worked extensively across Indian cinema in multiple languages, including Hindi, Telugu, Tamil, Malayalam, Kannada, Punjabi, Assamese, and Marathi, and has also been associated with international projects, including Malaysian cinema.
With a career spanning over two decades, Lalit has contributed as a cinematographer to feature films, documentaries, television serials, advertising films, music videos, and corporate productions. He later transitioned into film direction and has directed feature films as well as numerous music videos and advertising projects.
Lalit is the founder and owner of two production entities: Roop Chitra Visual, focused primarily on documentaries and non-fiction visual storytelling, and Roop Chitra Films, dedicated to feature films, short films, and narrative cinema.
He is a member of several professional film bodies, including the Western India Cinematographers Association (WICA), Indian Film & Television Directors’ Association (IFTDA), Indian Documentary Producers Association (IDPA), Film Workers Association of Malaysia (PPFM), and the Western India Film Producers' Association (WIFPA).
Lalit’s work is known for its emphasis on naturalistic visual storytelling and location-based cinematography. In addition to filmmaking, he has been involved in research-oriented projects related to documentary cinema, cultural studies, and visual anthropology.
Early life
Vierendrra Lalit was born into a family with a strong legacy of public service, education, and social engagement. His grandfather, Sohan Pal Singh, was a farmer, social activist, and freedom fighter who actively participated in the Quit India Movement of 1942 and was imprisoned multiple times during India’s struggle for independence. Following independence, he remained involved in social reform and community development at the village level.
Lalit’s father, Dr. Roop Kishore, is a retired scientist specializing in genetics and plant breeding. He served as a professor at Chandra Shekhar Azad University of Agriculture and Technology, Kanpur, Uttar Pradesh, and contributed to agricultural research and education over several decades. His academic work included the development of multiple improved crop varieties, particularly in barley, which were adopted in different regions of India and abroad.
His mother, Chitra Verma, is a homemaker and artist, and has been cited by Lalit as a significant personal influence, particularly in nurturing his early exposure to creativity, visual sensibility, and artistic expression.
Lalit completed his schooling at Sainik School, Lucknow, where he was exposed to a disciplined academic and residential environment. He later pursued higher education in philosophy and earned a Master’s degree in Philosophy from DAV College, Kanpur, affiliated with Kanpur University (now Chhatrapati Shahu Ji Maharaj University).
Personal life
Vierendrra Lalit is married to Rachna Lalit, who is into Research and Writing of Films and Documentaries. She is also a Producer in Bollywood Industry. They both have two kids, Khoobi Lalit and Varenyam Lalit.
Career
After completing a diploma in photography, Lalit moved to Mumbai, where he began his professional training as an apprentice under cinematographer Kabir Lal. During this period, he assisted on several Hindi feature films, including Kaho Naa… Pyaar Hai (2000), Taal (1999), Hum Aapke Dil Mein Rehte Hain (1999), Hamara Dil Aapke Paas Hai (2000), Prem Aggan (1998), and Khauff (2000). Through this apprenticeship, he gained practical experience in mainstream Hindi cinema and large-scale film production.
Lalit also assisted cinematographer Johny Lal on the Hindi feature film Mujhe Kucch Kehna Hai (2001), further broadening his exposure to commercial filmmaking practices.
In 2001, Lalit began working independently as a cinematographer. Since then, he has contributed to a wide range of projects across multiple formats. As of the present, his body of work includes 41 feature films, approximately 250 music videos, 130 documentaries and corporate films, and over 700 advertising films and television commercials. His work spans both Indian and international productions. [1]
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