An eye for beauty

Mona

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Ace photographer Atul Kasbekar wowed us with his maiden production, Neerja, this year. Close to the end of the year, he is back with his creation that’s become synonymous with New Year — the Kingfisher Calendar!

The legendary calendar is back with a sizzling new edition. Atul’s creative masterpiece has not only been winning accolades for years, but has been a launch-pad for many Bollywood beauties.

This time, shot across spectacular locations in Greece, it features gorgeous models — Alliny Gomes, Dayana Erappa, Kanishtha Dhankhar, Meenakshi Rathore, Nora Fatehi and Vartika Singh. Styled by Allia El Rufai, make-up by Kapil Bhalla, hair-styling by Marianna Mukuchyan and photographed by none other than Atul Kasbekar, the calendar sure rocks. Here shares excerpts from his journey so far.

What makes this Kingfisher calendar different from its previous editions?

This is one of the best in a long time now. Spectacular locales, great team; it was as if everything effortlessly fell in place. Usually, we come back with some 30-32 shots, which with 12 months, and front and backcover, has the ratio of 2:1. This time around, we have come back with some 45, so you can imagine. Not only the results, even the entire shoot was a delight.

What made you choose Greece for this year’s shoot location?

Greece evokes a different imagery all together. Spectacular blues, the white doors and the high point is its beautiful light. Weather-wise, it was fabulous for our shoots take the entire day. And I am specifically partial to afternoon light, which was stunning there.

How exhausting is the process to choose the models?

For swimsuit modelling, as opposed to ramp, one has got to be superbly fit. Ideal would be 5ft eight-and-a-half-inch height, toned body and long legs. We keep looking through the year for the newbies, select 10-12 and the final one has like 4-7!

Neerja won critical, commercial acclaim; any other films that you plan to produce? Or eventually direct?

I love production and will stick to it. We have announced our next project. Called Tumhari Sulu, it is with T-series and stars Vidya Balan. An urban comedy, it addresses the quandary of a modern woman who is supposed to be the ideal wife, mother, professional, hostess - all rolled in one. Then there is a web-series and more. It’s the calendar for now!

mona@tribunemail.com