SHIKHA DUGGAL
Don’t we keep reflecting on our fascination with celebrities? They are everywhere! In the company of — there is the most eminent Avinash Gowariker, a celebrity photographer who recently shot the poster of Varun-Janhvi starrer Bawaal. When we look at all the photographs of celebrities, it’s a lensman like Avinash who helps them convey emotions.
Since we have been patrons of the documentarian, we know how capable he is of pulling the right shot even if his subjects are in motion.
Started in 1993, and the sparkle in the eye, the twitch, and the stance captured by him all helped us get a sense of what the celebrity is feeling. He confesses openly to the masses how it was his elder brother, Ashutosh Gowariker, the film director, who got him through the entertainment industry, and Avinash will always be obligated to him. He got lucky; he was acquainted with Aamir Khan, an individual who Avinash professes never does any work favours, but he indulged Avinash, shot some of his portraits, and gained a well-deserved acknowledgement in the industry.
In an exclusive conversation with the snapper, he shared, “Photography is unique in terms of the duration; unlike a film, on which one would have to keep on working for a few months, photography is a one-day project! Because of this, for us photographers, every day is a new day, and every shoot is a whole new thing. I have recently worked on several projects, such as Satyaprem Ki Katha posters and Bawaal. Each of these projects was different from the others. I shot several campaigns with Amitabh Bachchan, so, touch wood, it has been a busy period. I also had the opportunity to shoot Jr. NTR. At the same time, I cannot disclose details of upcoming campaigns because many are classified.”
Later, Karishma Kapoor brought him into contact with Salman Khan, and as the hearsay goes in the industry, if Salman Khan likes you, your life is set, and so was Avinash Gowariker’s thereafter. He was taking a chance with his life, and he avows again. In this whole process, soon after Salman started to pour in fantastic offers for Avinash, because the superstar is impatient, he didn’t give him breaks to consume the craft, making the celebrity photographer work rapidly on one project after the other. Salman’s spontaneity made the photographer work under quick circumstances.
“Since I started my career with only celebrities, there has yet to be any switch as such. The first assignment I did was Raja Hindustani with Aamir Khan. For most of my life, I have shot celebrities, and there is a certain ease that comes with it. Celebrities know what they
are doing, what looks good, what doesn’t, and which angle would suit them! So when two professionals work together, it is always a breeze, and I love it. Celebrities always have a fantastic aura around them and are adored by millions of people. An indescribable X factor in their body language adds a certain charm and makes it all that much more special.”
The Mumbai afternoon light is a nightmare for every photographer, but surprisingly, our interviewee made it his strength without any assistance. While recalling these reminiscences with us, he was flabbergasted.
Now, with the improved quality of camera sensors and lenses, which has made the requirement for light lesser, he is taking some iconic images.
He then makes a clean breast of, “I wasn’t particularly inclined towards academics, and during my time at Mithibai for my undergraduate studies, I realised that it wasn’t the path I wanted to pursue throughout my education. I found myself contemplating what I truly wanted to do with my life. Coincidentally, there was a photographer in my neighbourhood who was looking for an assistant. She offered to pay me per shoot, and I decided to give it a shot. I started assisting her, went to her studio, and saw the whole atmosphere. Something in me just clicked, and I decided that I was going to be a photographer! So, at the age of nineteen, I approached my father and told him that I wanted to drop out of college and be a photographer. The following day, he gifted me my first camera. This is where Ashutosh stepped in and guided me by saying, You need to shoot with someone big, and the rest, as they say, is history.”
But, for the pre-eminent personality, he can see how mediocrity has increased so much. Due to the advent of the digital boom, he feels one just shoots and uploads! The valour of turning a portfolio has vanished. The way celebrity shoots were exhibited earlier!
Besides, “I try to get a celebrity to shoot portraits where they step out of the character they are portraying that day. As celebrities, there is always the expectation that they have to look good and pose well! In the portraits that I shoot of them, I ask them to do simple things; if their hair is set perfectly for the main shot, I’d ask them to make it a little messy, make sure they have minimum or no makeup on their face, and try to keep the clothes as simple as possible. People are usually used to seeing celebrities as the epitome of perfection. But when you do these things, they automatically look genuine, and you can connect to them a little better! Moreover, their poses become more candid. Many times actors adopt a deliberate swagger in magazines or for fashion shoots to exude their fashion and cool factor, whereas I aim to make it as raw as possible. It may not always be achieved, but most of the time, it works for me.”
It seldom happens that on a particular day, an actor or actress may not feel happy with their appearance; for example, someone may have some water retention or not feel good from within, or sometimes it could also be a bad hair day and the photographer laughs out loud. These are all rare occurrences, but it does get a little challenging for him! Even on his end, there may be possibilities. Certain lighting or camera angles may not work if he is shooting with a particular celebrity for the first time because they are also accustomed to a specific photographer. So sometimes things may feel a little out of place. These things are sporadic for him, though.
He further adds, “Beyond a point, leaving people to their own devices is better. When you give them that freedom, the outcome ends up being better. I prefer giving an overall idea of what I have in mind and leaving it to their interpretation. They are experts and know their job well, so they do it their way, which always works. Some actors have specific preferences or fixed ideas about their hairstyles, appearance, or preferred angles to capture their faces, while others are open, flexible, and willing to experiment.”
One person who surprised him was Sridevi. During the early stages of his career, he thought she appeared serious and introverted on set. However, she underwent a remarkable transformation when she stepped in front of the camera. She would develop an extremely outgoing and friendly personality, engaging with the camera effortlessly. Similarly, several actors may appear reserved off-camera, but as soon as they are in front of the camera, their personalities change, and they start, in a way, talking to the camera. Moreover, “At the beginning of my career, I drew inspiration from great movie posters and captivating frames in movies. The classic movie posters and many films shot by great DOPs inspired me a lot. I am inspired by Instagram in today’s digital age. On a five-inch screen, you see a wide variety of extraordinary photographs. Earlier, we felt that for a picture to have an impact, it would have to be displayed in a large format, like hoardings, which would be the ultimate; if not, then exhibitions or the minimum would be a coffee table book. You see impactful photos on that five-inch screen, which inspires me greatly.”
For every movie, the publicity designer comes up with the concept for the campaign, and his role is to translate that concept into photographs. His approach varies from film to film or campaign to campaign, depending on what has to be achieved.
