“I’m Pugazh Murugan from Sembakkam, Tambaram. My childhood wasn’t easy. I used to stammer, struggled to communicate, and carried low confidence. But what I lacked in speech, I made up for in grit. I hated giving up, and that fire to prove something to myself kept me going. That rough start pushed me to break barriers and chase what I love.

My passion for photography started during school. We had a unique assignment to make a short film. I was a one-man crew, making multiple short films, figuring things out on the go. I used to experiment with the camera back then, and what started as curiosity slowly grew into obsession and then love.

I’ve always been a loner. The stammering didn’t help either. I was my favorite company and often took myself out on solo dates. I watched films alone, and two films in particular had a huge impact on me. KO made me seriously consider journalism and photography after I learned that its director, KV Anand sir, was a photojournalist turned filmmaker. The other was Bang Bang Club, which showed me the raw power and risk behind the lens. Both films stirred something in me as I was figuring out what direction to take.

I started working as a photojournalist at a newspaper. My first major break came when I got to shoot an Indian Cricket Team practice session. This was unusual, as most sports photographers usually need eight to ten years of experience. I took the gig at my own expense. As I stood inside the stadium, I thought of the days I used to flip through Sportstar and study those iconic photos. My first photograph was of MS Dhoni. It felt like destiny. That image marked a turning point, and over the years, I’ve been lucky to capture many more of his moments.

When I’m working, I’m completely locked in. Every photo I click still feels like my best one. But I keep chasing that one frame that will go down in history.

I got a chance to cover the World Cup, and that remains one of the proudest moments of my life. A personal highlight was photographing Ronaldinho, a childhood hero, and having him repost my photo on his official profile. That moment was surreal and full circle.

Here are three rules I try to live by:

Stick to the basics. Master them. Respect them. Keep learning, no matter what your craft is.
Go to any extent within the law to get the perfect shot. Give your all, even if the result doesn’t meet your expectations. Sometimes the biggest takeaway is not in the outcome, but in the process itself.
Many photographers struggle with finding their niche. Most are naturally better at one style over others. While it’s good to explore, the craft that chooses you will always shine the brightest. Find that, and stay true to it.

Chennai is home. I always tell my juniors that this city won’t let you sink. You may float, you may fly, but you’ll never drown here. I started off driving an auto and once even took it to Chepauk before a World Cup match I was covering. There was a time when my father hesitated to tell people what I did. Today, he proudly says his son has photographed Sachin and Dhoni.

For me, that is the greatest recognition of all.”