Jitendra Arya at his home studio. Pics courtesy/Jitendra Arya Foundation

Among the many portraits of film personalities that will be on view at the National Gallery of Modern Art starting this Friday, one frame captures a turning point in the life of its creator. Featuring Guru Dutt, Waheeda Rehman, Meena Kumari and Chhaya Arya, the picture tells the story of how noted photographer Jitendra Arya moved to Bombay. "Guru Dutt had offered Arya's wife Chhaya the role of chhoti bahu [younger daughter-in-law] in Sahib, Bibi aur Ghulam when they were still in London. The plan didn't materialise and the memorable role was played by Meena Kumari eventually, but it brought him to Bombay," shares Sabeena Gadihoke, who, after two years of sifting through over 7,000 negatives with Arya's wife and son Dr Kavi Arya, has curated the retrospective, Light Works, presented by the Jitendra Arya Foundation.