Six mid-day photographers, whose works are on display as part of the ongoing National Centre for the Performing Arts (NCPA) photo festival, relive the story behind their picture
RANE ASHISH | She has the gun and I have the camera, but it is all about getting it spot on. I told ace rifle shooter Anjali Bhagwat nee Vedpathak to go into her kitchen at her Andheri home and then give me her ‘shooting’ pose. So there you have it then, and if you can’t stand the heat, like they say, stay out of the kitchen.
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It is a picture that Anjali had once declared at an awards function as one of her favourites. Bullseye it is for both, photographer and subject.
NIMESH DAVE | It was July 11, 2006 when serial blasts ripped the heart out of Mumbai. I boarded a Churchgate to Virar fast at Dadar at 6.14 pm.
Soon, there was a deafening blast. I saw limbs and blood everywhere. I was unhurt. The photojournalist in me kicked in and I took this picture. I then left the stalled train and walked till Tulsi Pipe Road in Dadar. It was there that I processed what had happened, how I had been given a ‘second life’, even as I sobbed my heart out on that road, my tears mixing with the dust.
SHADAB KHAN | I was shooting New Year celebration pictures at Gateway of India. From atop a police watch tower, I saw a group of men surround a young couple. They started touching the woman inappropriately.
Her male companion was trying to protect her but in vain. Even as I shot this picture I was so ashamed that I was unable to help. Later, I gave the picture to the Colaba police station. The five molesters were nabbed by the police, thanks to this picture, but I still regret not being able to help.
SAYYED SAMEER ABEDI | I was at American School at Bandra Kurla Complex (BKC) when I saw Saif Ali Khan and Amrita Singh step out of the school hall and into some open space.
They had been recently divorced. Saif then offered his former wife a cigarette and was lighting it for her, when I clicked this picture. They did not notice me at first, but looked irked when they did and actually moved quickly out of there, complaining that the media should not interfere in their personal life.
ATUL KAMBLE | It was August 2012. I was taking pictures at Azad Maidan, of a protest rally against the treatment of Muslims in Myanmar and Assam.
A man suddenly rushed towards the Amar Jawan Jyoti memorial monument, in a frenzy and kicked it. I got my picture. I felt police lathis on me. My camera was damaged. Yet, I managed to save this picture, printed in the paper the next day. It shows the mayhem, the mob and the charged atmosphere.
SAMEER MARKANDE | I was taking pictures of a local cricket tourney in Andheri for Gujarati mid-day. I saw a couple of dogs on the field, but I was concentrating on the batsman-bowler confrontation.
Suddenly, this dog ran towards the umpire and started pissing near the stumps. I realised this is a classic canine moment, and the poor umpire looked startled as he stopped the bowler from bowling the delivery. Perhaps, this is what they mean when they say: ‘Cricket is a game of glorious uncertainties’.
Details
What: NCPA Photography Festival
When: On till October 26
Where: Piramal Gallery, National Centre for the Performing Arts (NCPA)
Timings: 12 noon to 8 pm
Entry: Free
What: Works of more than 50 photojournalists on display. Talks by eminent lensmen, display of old photography equipment part of festival.
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