Dabboo Ratnani: Through The Lens

New Delhi: When it comes to photography, Dabboo Ratnani has done it all! From celebrity shoots to his very own prestigious calendar that features the greats like Amitabh Bachchan, Shah Rukh Khan, Aamir and other top notch actors of the country, this ace photographer has more than made his presence felt in the industry.

In an exclusive interview with NDTVMovies.com, Dabboo spills the beans on his fantastic 2011 calendar and answers a few of our very own rapid fire questions!

Q: What's new about this year's calendar shoot?
A: So this year I tried to do these bizarre contrasts - Shah Rukh Khan in a complete tux and bow tie, looking as though he is off for a premiere, but instead of taking his BMW, he takes his bicycle. (And that was actually his gardener's cycle that he used for the shoot!)

And there was ZERO fuss about it, Shah Rukh was very excited about the picture. Even Mr Amitabh Bachchan, who is so amazing to work with, said, 'You always come up with these crazy ideas and they always work!' Mr Bachchan is seen, in the calendar, sitting in a business suit, with his iPad out at a roadside barbershop.

It was back to the basics for me. Shooting outdoor is my signature style of sorts because back in the day I didn't own a studio and I made that work to my advantage.

Q: Was there a common theme this year?
A: Usually, there is no theme, apart from my first calendar. There is just a thread that holds the calendar together. Last year was the black and white thread. In 2009 was the 10th anniversary, so I featured 48 celebrities. In 2008, I showcased only male actors. This time I went completely freestyle - I only knew that I was doing 12 boys and 12 girls - I didn't want to hold myself back with a concept in mind. It was all about letting the photography and the actors stand out and not let the theme be the hero! And it worked because it didn't get boring.

Q: How is it that after 12 calendars, you still get sleepless nights before?
A> I still have sleepless nights and only a part of the reason is the nerves. Most of the shoot happens over the months of November and December, with the last issue, it all happened in December, itself. So there was that rush to get it done, spend hours in the studio. We have to plan the whole shoot - the makeup, clothes, stylist, location, and various other features of the shoot - all done during the day. And at nights, sit down and design the calendar, the layouts, etc. The whole process takes over our lives and we are working 20-22 hours every day.

Q: Why rush through it towards the end of the year?
A: We don't want a dated look. In 6 months the look of the actor may change. It has to last a year after the calendar release so we don't want a dated image. We even have some shoots on the 27th of December and slot it in for print on the 29th. We try to do it as close to the day as possible.

Q: With 12 months to feature, what is the reason you feature 24 stars?
A: My first calendar in 2000, featured only 12 girls, then I thought may as well add 12 men. The idea is to give more, with 12 months featuring girls on one side, to 12 men for the same months on the other.

Q: After accomplishing so much, what's next for you?
A: I actually enjoy my profession so much that it still feels that it is my first day. It definitely doesn't feel like I have completed 16 years! I still feel like I am rediscovering myself and the calendar makes me push myself to the next level, to outdo the last year.

And every day is so different, one day I'm doing a film shoot, the next and ad campaign, the third day something else - everything is so different.

As for moving on to something else, I am way too busy to think about the next step. And, I am so happy where I am, I want to enjoy it for a while.

Q: Your weapon of choice at a shoot would be?
A: Currently I am using a Canon 1DS Mark III, and my backup is a Canon 5D Mark II. Apart from that, I have 15 different lenses to choose from as well.

Q: Any advice for a budding photographer?
A: Don't get into it to just meet glamorous people. You will only be consistent and successful if you are in the line for the true love of the art. Anybody can buy good cameras and learn technique, but without passion, there is no evolution into professional photographer.

Rapid Fire Round:

Q: Who is the easiest to work with?
A: Mr Bachchan!

Q: Most fun!
A: Arjun Rampal. I have worked with him since he was a model and, over the years, I have formed a great rapport with him. Add to that his whacky sense of humour.

Tying with him, for the title, is Abhishek Bachchan. Both come out with the funniest jokes and keep you in splits.

Q: Hard to work with?
A: That is a tough one. I screen the subjects of my shoot beforehand and if I do not feel that comfort, I don't work with them. It's that simple.

Q: Who is next on your calendar hit list?
A: That would probably be, Rekha.

Let's get personal:Q: Your daughter Myrah is quite the star of the show as well, where she is often shot with the biggest of celebs as well. How does the Dad in you feel about that versus the photographer?
A: Aaah! That is interconnected. She comes with me for most of my shoots so I can spend time with her. And this is quality time that I get to spend with her. She knows what her parents do and she has fun in and around the shoots.

She also knows what the camera does and she pouts, poses and smiles. For me the shoot is like a party - blaring music, a lot of energy - and she loves it.

Q: What if she chooses to be a model? Does it worry you?
A: Even though i come from a business family background, my mother was very supportive of my brother, who is a chef, and me being a photographer. So I can't really stop her from it. But, by the time she makes the choice, people will know she is my daughter and we will get around to it.

Well, we are pretty sure that she has already won over plenty of godparents in the industry. Here's wishing Dabboo luck for the future...