Chennai, India – Thirty-seven years after its quiet release, Mani Ratnam’s iconic love story Geethanjali is set to return to theatres in a digitally restored 4K format on August 28, 2026. Ahead of the re-release, cinematographer PC Sreeram, whose arresting visuals were a cornerstone of the film, spoke about his memories of filming the Telugu classic in the hills of Ooty. He revealed how the mist became a silent third character, uniting the two protagonists, and discussed the film’s enduring legacy.
Released in 1989, Geethanjali starred Nagarjuna and Girija as two characters grappling with terminal medical conditions, turning a potentially melancholic narrative into a celebration of life. Sreeram recalled that when Mani Ratnam discussed the idea of a love story set in a hill station, he wanted to use mist as a “messenger that unites them.” The visuals established the mood of the narrative, with the hills of Ooty becoming another character. The film was shot in the winter months over 60 days, with diligent planning and a mix of natural and artificial mist. The song ‘O Priya Priya,’ filmed in Rajasthan, offered a striking contrast with its bright desert terrain.
Sreeram revealed that he has always been intuitive about visualizing a story, communicating clearly with the director without pre-visualization. He noted that Ilaiyaraaja’s haunting music served as a backbone to the narrative. While revisiting the film, he noticed how the music itself conceals a story. The restored version, checked by Sreeram, retains the original colours, textures, and contrasts.
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He also discussed the shift in moviegoing experiences over the decades, but acknowledged the growing anticipation for the re-release. Geethanjali remains one of the most memorable love stories in Telugu cinema, and its Tamil dubbed version was equally phenomenal in Tamil Nadu. The 4K re-release promises to bring this timeless classic back to audiences, preserving its visual and emotional magic.
