The art of mastering one-shot technique in Indian cinema

Though sometimes go unnoticed, these single-take shots hold an intensity that grapples people’s attention and turn it into an unforgettable experience

Hyderabad: Pulling off a single-take scene is no easy feat. It requires impeccable timing, masterful direction, and seamless collaboration between actors, technicians, and the camera crew. But when it all comes together, the result is pure cinematic magic.

Though sometimes go unnoticed, these single-take shots hold an intensity that grapples people’s attention and turn it into an unforgettable experience.

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Recent Netflix sensation—Adolescence—has made these one-shot scenes get noticed by the viewers. Many viewers felt that its use of single-take scenes seemed raw, demanding, and impressively coordinated, adding an immersive layer to the narrative.

But this wasn’t Indian cinema’s first brush with the magic of continuous shots. Over the years, Indian cinema has embraced the technique to offer audiences a taste of something different. Here are some standout examples:

Gangs of Wasseypur (2012) – The Home Shootout (7 minutes)
Anurag Kashyap’s ‘Gangs of Wasseypur’ is known for its raw and gritty storytelling, and its seven-minute shootout scene is no exception. As Faizal Khan (Nawazuddin Siddiqui) dashes through chaotic alleys under fire, the unbroken shot captures every frantic second.

Viduthalai (2023) – The Train Scene (8 minutes)
In a recent Tamil film, Viduthalai, director Vetri Maaran crafts a gripping eight-minute one-take sequence around a train and a tense confrontation. The camera’s uninterrupted flow mirrors the tension of the scene, placing the viewer right at the heart of the drama.

The Family Man (2019) – The Hospital Attack (13 minutes)
One of the most nerve-racking moments in Manoj Bajpayee’s ‘The Family Man’ involves a 13-minute continuous shot filmed in a real hospital’s cardiology ward. What makes it even more impressive is that the crew only had two nights at the location—one to rehearse and one to shoot. Directed with unrelenting focus by DK, the scene follows the attackers’ perspective, escalating the sense of danger with every passing second.

Dil Dhadakne Do (2015) – ‘Gallan Goodiyan’ Song (4 minutes)
Not every single-take scene needs to be intense. It can be fun too. ‘Dil Dhadakne Do’ offers a joyful alternative with the song ‘Gallan Goodiyan’. The four-minute musical sequence dances through a lively cruise dinner party, following characters as they sing and mingle. It’s a beautiful testament of how choreography and outstanding camera work can come together to capture unfiltered happiness.

CID – The Inheritance (2004) – A Record-Breaking One-Shot (111 minutes)
Not only films, once upon a time TV shows were also made with aim to offer a cinematic experience for their audiences. One such show was the ‘OG’ CID. The crime-drama show aired a special episode titled ‘The Inheritance’ in 2004. This particular episode holds the distinction of being a 111-minute single-shot episode. Directed by BP Singh, the episode was created to set world records—and it did just that.

Balagam (2023)—Cooking scene (3 minutes)
Though shot for less time, this one-shot scene in the emotional blockbuster movie Balagam captured how live revolves in a family on a busy day. Directed by Venu Yeldandi, the three-minute scene starts with the family members preparing food for a feast and ends with the protagonist Saidulu (Priyadarshi) taking over other chores. The scene’s rawness captivated its audience in such a manner that they might have hardly noticed it.