I can't say no to Mani Ratnam: Santosh

Santosh Sivan readily puts his new film on hold after Mani Ratnam summons him for Azaan with Ranbir Kapoor
Mani Ratnam has asked ace cinematographer Santosh Sivan to shoot his next film titled Azaan featuring Ranbir Kapoor. No questions asked.
This wouldn’t be the first occasion when the cinematographer will be going out of his way for Mani Ratnam whose current project Raavan he took over midway.Santosh Sivan had earlier shot Mani’s first Hindi film Dil Se. Mani Ratnam wants to start Azaan with Ranbir Kapoor by the end of the year.
Santosh Sivan says, “I do have my hands full. I also have four days work left for my acting assignment. And yes, Mani has asked me to shoot his next film. And there’s no question of saying no to Mani Ratnam.”
Mani is the only filmmaker for whom Santosh Sivan is willing to serve as cinematographer. He has otherwise resolved to only do the cinematography of films which he personally directs.
Recently for the music release of Raavan in Mumbai, Santosh Sivan was also summoned by Mani to do the lighting on stage for AR Rahman and Abhishek Bachchan’s live show. “What you see as going out of my way for Mani Ratnam is not really that.
Anyone who works with him would do exactly that,” adds Santosh Sivan.
No matter how Santosh Sivan puts it, the fact is he will be shooting Azaan at the cost of his own film.