Are you bidding bye to cinematography?

Not at all. If I get a good script, I'll definitely do it. Whatever I do should be a challenge -- preparation, taking references and reading books. Throughout my career, I did cinematography based on scripts except Sivaji which I did for Rajnikanth.

Which is more challenging -- cinematography or direction?

Direction is more challenging as there is more responsibility. Cinematography is easy once you go through the script. Whenever I do cinematography, I get to spend more time with my family. I read a lot of technical books then. But as the shooting takes place, I feel the job of the cinematographer is arduous.

But the director's job does not end in 24 hours. I used to get up in the middle of the night with some new idea. Getting work done from everyone is a big task.