JOIN USAtul Kasbekar is much more than what he is best known as — an ace fashion photographer. His multi-faceted personality reveals more about his happening life.
Interestingly, growing up, Atul never thought he would become a photographer.
He joined UDCT (now Institute of Chemical Technology) in Mumbai to study chemical engineering, but later dropped out of the course after the first year to eventually become a photographer.
“I was a complete academic, and so I never thought I would get into professional photography. I quit engineering because I did not like what I was doing, and there were no women studying chemical engineering, which was a very valid reason to leave,” he laughs. He then graduated from the Brooks Institute in Santa Barbara, in the US, which he describes as one of the nicest places in the world. “Just two hours away from Los Angeles, Santa Barbara has great weather and is an incredible place. During my college days, I even waited on tables and managed to meet several celebrities including the likes of Michael Douglas,” he reminisces.
Awards & honours
Of course, today, Atul is India’s best known fashion photographer and has captured India’s best fashionistas and Bollywood biggies on his camera. He also holds the distinction of being the first Indian to win the prestigious International Food and Beverage Creative Excellence Awards 2005. However, ask him about his favourite Bollywood actor in terms of being most photogenic, and he is evasive.
“I really do not want to take any names, because people whom I don’t mention will feel left out,” he says rather diplomatically. However, he is pretty much at ease while shooting famous personalities, and he says, “Shooting people turns me on, whether it is a kid or an 80-year-old. Part of the craft is to put people at ease, and it is an exciting process.”
Apart from fashion photography, Atul is also the owner of a celebrity management company called Bling! Entertainment Solutions, which was started in 2007, and has so far partnered with many leading international and national brands, and manages endorsements of several big names in Bollywood. He has also launched another company called Corporate Image, which manages the top management and spokespersons within an organisation.
The specialist imaging service conducts research regarding companys’ values, individual tastes and sense of style to create a bank of images which the companies can use in any communication such as brochures or annual reports. “It’s good fun because it is a discrete service, and we deal with top honchos of big corporates,” he smiles.
Atul is also synonymous with the Kingfisher Calendar. “I have been shooting for the Kingfisher Calendar for a decade now, and we have just completed the 11th edition, having started in 2003. It’s nice to see what germinated from a seed has today gone on to become a launch pad for new talent.”
Acting debut
With his recent appearance as a brand ambassador of Mahindra Xylo, Atul has also made his onscreen debut. “The ad campaign happened quite by chance, mainly because I am friends with Anand Mahindra. I am terribly camera shy, and I must admit I was quite flattered after seeing how it turned out,” he says candidly.
With technology invading photography like never before, things are changing. “These are very exciting times and the rules of the game are completely changing now, and artistry is now important. However, I believe what you do with an image is only a means to an end,” Atul says. Speaking about the photographers who inspired him, Atul says he admires the late “Herb” Ritts, an American fashion photographer, and David
LaChapelle.
Having travelled the world, Atul counts South Africa as a great destination to shoot. “In fact, we just shot at the Mabula Game Lodge, set in one of South Africa’s finest private game reserves, and we did not realise until we were told that the place is a favourite haunt of wild animals. While we were busy shooting outside, we were told to hurry inside, and within 15 minutes a herd of wild elephants passed by,” he recollects.
Being very busy with shoots and as father to his fraternal twins, he says, “I am surprised when people say that they have taken a year off as break. I do yoga and stick to a regular workout programme as well. I love watching football and follow the Arsenal football matches regularly when I have some free time.” He has been the honourary chairman of the Photographer’s Guild of India since its inception, and is looking at doing better work in the days to come.