The first thing that greeted film buffs turning up to catch some great movies at the Kazhcha Indie Film Fest (KIFF) were some brilliant photographs on display.
Each of the pictures tells a story and it doesn't take long for a viewer to realise that the man who has shot them is a professional. He soon emerges from behind the pictures, with a warm smile on his face.
Slideshow : KIFF 2017: People, compassion, humanism form core of Shiju Basheer's photo exihibition
"I am Shiju S Basheer," he says unassumingly, and begins to accompany me as we begin studying his pictures one by one.
The first picture we pick is that of a woman preparing to perform the last rites of her husband. "What is special about this photo?" I ask naively, to which he points two doves in the same picture with one of them, just taking off while the other is still on the stairs in between body and the man. "See, the similie," he smiles.
The next picture is equally telling with a man and his dog looking out of their window. Both look sad. I look at him questioningly and he says, "The man just lost a dear one and both he and his dog are mourning the loss."
"You can tell a story in a single picture and that is what I try to do. I don't write anything beneath it, because then I bring down the viewer to my level. People make their own stories," he says modestly.
Shiju's photos would gain more publicity if they were displayed in a gallery under lights. But no, Shiju is not inclined to do so.
"I shot these pictures from the streets, therefore they need to be showcased on streets for the benefit of the common public, not under the lights," he says.
It doesn't need an expert to realise that Shiju's photos would win hands down if they were sent to competitions, but then the photographer says he doesn't believe in awards.
"I don't send them for awards. If people like my work after watching it, then that is my reward. Sometimes, those who like my pictures give me a hug. I consider that my award," he says.
"I don't know the rules of photography. That is because I am a self-learner. So, break the rules and make your own. Technically, I am bad. I don't care about aperture or shutter speed. I am someone who believes that nobody can teach photography to another, but you can learn if you want to."
The photographer says his objective is simple. "If people behave decently towards one another and have sympathy for one another by watching and learning from my photos, then my purpose is achieved," he concluded.