By Madhup.(Chandigarh):Talents like Yana Gupta, Deepika Padukone, and Katrina Kaif that have reached great heights. But have you ever thought of the platform that has launched these talents? No, Na!!!! It is the Kingfisher calendar. For over the years, it is becoming a viable platform for the modern Indian women to get noticed. But, if compared, its Atul Kasbekar’s work that makes everyone a fan of calendar. That’s why; for some photographers, he is an inspiration but for some, he is a role model.
Recently, we got the time to watch one of the worlds’s the legendary known photographer Atul Kasbekar’s work. This time, we made a conversation with this prominent photographer Atul Kasbekar to check out the behind the scene gossips brewing up in the next year’s Kingfisher Calendar 2011.
This passionate guy tells about next year’s Kingfisher Calendar 2011 and said, “For the last 9 years, I have been shooting for Kingfisher Swimsuit Calendar but this time it was the challenge for me to make it better than the last. It’s also important to bring freshness to the calendar. So now, we also have the ‘Hunt for the calendar girl’ on NDTV GOOD TIMES, which helps us to get fresh face and new talent. How bigger can we better?”
“Every time, it’s a real task to try out new shots and new location each year. In past 9 years, I have tried every possible pose. I think my pictures keep the audience engrossed and are shot aesthetically. It’s not something; you will be embarrassed about when you see the calendar. Each image needs to have a timeless appeal” he adds.
He further added that, “Sometimes you will also hear the rumors that I didn’t shoot the models portfolio apart from the calendar shoot but it’s not true because, if you’re getting the new face and talent, there is no chance to say no for the shoot.”
While sharing this year’s shooting experience, Atul said, “This time, we shot the calendar with a bunch of wild animals in a place called ‘Casella’. It was quite dangerous because no matter what precaution you take, this isn’t a trained animal or drugged animal. So, I took six models along, just in case something happened to one and I believe, more better outcome will be with the involved danger.”
“Each year we try to bring newness to it, that’s why, the destination is always chosen by Dr Vijay Mallya. Mauritius was like coming back home; it was nostalgic as we shot our first calendar there. As far as models are concerned, we always look for new fresh model that have right attitude to make it to Kingfisher calendar. They should all have long legs, as it’s very difficult to shoot with someone below 5’8‘’ because you don’t get that length of leg” he asserts.
“Like every year, it will take around 2 week time to shoot this swimsuit calendar and around 500 copies are made. One has to actually get the calendar from Dr Mallya so there is lot of anticipation around it. Because Kingfisher calendar is the most coveted calendar; it has become one of the most iconic calendars that represent fashion and photography at best and a property like this can’t be sold or published in abundance” he said.
At last, he said, “The time is changing fast. In such times, to make a calendar with a two dimensional picture and make someone look at it everyday is a big challenge for me but I did it my job whole heartedly. Though, its an iconic property but I’m glad of being associated with it and this Kingfisher’s swimsuit calendar 2011 will be launched on the occasion of Dr Vijay Malaya’s b’day i.e. is on 18th December, 2010.”