This year, two acclaimed cinematographers are making their debut in Tollywood. They are achievers. When they crank the camera, the screen is magic-zoned. They are choosy. When they take up a film, you can be sure that there is something unique about the project - either the subject or the director's vision or the idiom sought to be told. They are Santosh Sivan and Thirru.

Santosh Sivan is debuting in Telugu with Mahesh Babu's film in AR Murugadoss' direction. He is a 11-time National Award winner, including in the Best Cinematography category for the films Kaalapani, Iruvar and Dil Se, the latter two being Mani Ratnam films. A talented technician, he has a directorial vision that is the stuff of many a technician's envy. The fact that he has won the National Award as a Best Director more than as a Best Cinematographer proves this point. Mahesh's project has a huge value addition for sure. Sivan has produced worthy output in Malayalam and Tamil. For once, he is set to do that in Telugu.

As for Thirru, he is debuting with NTR's Janatha Garage. This one will hit the screens on August 12. Thirru recently wowed the audience with his acclaimed work for Vikram Kumar-Suriya's 24. This now-in-Bollywood cinematographer made this comeback film in South India for the first time after a gap of six years. The discerning will surely watch out for his work in Janatha Garage.

Mahesh Babu and NTR are lucky to get the best technicians on board. Let's hope this will be a trend other top actors will find irresistible.