I cried after shooting with Mr Bachchan: Rohan Shrestha

At 29, Rohan Shrestha is among the most talented photographers in Bollywood. From someone who picked up the camera a little reluctantly to getting into all aspects of it – including under-water photography – he has obviously come a long way. Bollywood doesn't dazzle him. His dad Rakesh Shrestha created a name of himself that's not just difficult, but impossible to live up to. So, Rohan instead of trying to match his dad, tries to carve his on niche. As he rule, he doesn't use his father's name to bag a shoot, but admits that he was tempted to do so at times. His tuning with the younger generation of actors like Ranveer Singh, Ranbir Kapoor, Shraddha Kapoor, Sonam Kaspoor, Sonakshi Sinha, Varun Dhawan – some of whom he calls his close friends – is bang on. But his muse isn't any of the gorgeous actors that he shoots with. He is madly in love with New York. The city inspires him, he says. Unlike most people who stay behind-the- camera, Rohan loves talking. I suffer from "foot-in-mouth disorder" he claims. But there's more to him than his bratty exterior. Excerpts from a chat with the photographer:

Is it true that you didn't want to be a photographer?
It's not that I didn't want be a photographer, even as a kid I was extremely interested in arts. But I was a rebellious kid. When you are rebellious kid you want to be different… not choose the obvious. I wanted to do my own thing. But the fact was that I loved everything to do with art - be it sketching or painting. I tried to not opt to be a photographer because it was the most obvious choice. But I have been shooting with cameras since I was four. My dad used to let me play with his stuff, his equipment and I had all his stuff around me all the time. I wasn't star-truck ever because actors used to come home. I used to be running around annoying everybody during shoots. I realised around 18 that this is what I want to do. I was just out of college and I used to play a lot of football and basically I had no real ambition. I wanted to take up science and do engineering or become a pilot and things like that. But I remember I nearly flunked maths in std 10. My tuition teacher came home to tell my mom that don't let your son take up science. I was in tears before by board exams. When I scored 78 per cent, it was huge for me. Also I have been a late bloomer. At 15 you don't really know what you want to do. I used to keep to myself a lot when I was growing up and that went on to shape my personality.

Your first major photoshoot…
That would have to be the cover I shot with Ranbir Kapoor. I was doing a one-page shoot. I got paid for it, which was huge deal because I was just one-year-old in the profession. And then suddenly I got a call and they asked will you shoot Ranbir. Of course, I jumped at the opportunity. At that time, I had barely started shooting Bollywood. I wanted to do fashion stuff and travel, which I am doing even now. But that time I thought I should do it later because again it was the obvious choice because my dad was a photographer. And it's a very huge name to live up to. Rakesh Shrestha in my opinion – and I am not just saying it because he's my father – but he is in the top three in the history of Indian photography. I realised that you're going to live in your dad's shadow until you go out there and do something. So when Ranbir's shoot landed in my lap that was a humungus achievement for me. After that shoot, I never looked back. It was in 2010…it'll be five year now. But to be honest, I didn't know what was happening at that time. During the shoot, the cover was nailed in no time. Ranbir was great to work with.

Your mom didn't get to see your success…
My mom passed away a day before my first cover was released. It took the life out of me because I was very attached to her. I was 24 and I had just started working. I started believing in spirituality post that incident. I didn't have any siblings so I had to deal with it alone. And I dealt with it in the best way that I could. It took me a while to get over it. I have no memory of August 2009. I stopped working completely. To keep myself occupied, I decided to play tennis. The first day that I went to play, I got multiple slip discs because there was so much stress on my body because of my emotional state. I had to deal with immense emotional and physical pain. Luckily, I had friends who stuck by me. My dad stood by me through all the pain. I don't know how he did that because he had just lost his wife. He would meet me and just hold me and I would just wail. I would keep crying and he would just keep holding me tight. It was difficult, but it got us so much closer. Today, I feel my mother's presence around me. I was very much my mum's son. I know that she is always watching over.

How would you describe your relationship with your dad…
My dad was working like crazy when I was a kid. There were hardly any magazines back then. Photographers couldn't make money until they worked on films. And at that point every film was shot in Ooty, Kashmir or Switzerland. I came to realise much later how hard my father worked. When I talk to people in the industry tell me that your father used to work so hard. He used to finish three shoots in one day. Today if I work on two I feel exhausted. He was doing three sometimes four. My father came from nowhere and managed to make a name for himself.

You assisted him. How was that experience?
It was hilarious. He made me the third assistant. He is very correct that way. He had two assistants who were senior to me. So they would do the work meant for the first and second assistant and took great pleasure and getting me to do the work of the third assistant. I would do all the dirty work. The first assistant would tell me what to do. I was a bratty kid back then and sometimes I would get pissed. My dad had no qualms about yelling at me. And sometimes I deserved it.

You have begun your own charity…
One of my dreams is to build a house for aged people. I am very attached to my grandfather who is very old today and I see people like him struggle everyday. I have already begun my NGO. It's called Humans of Tomorrow. It's based on a concept in New York where you get people to help other people. I think everyone wants to do something for others, but they don't know the path. We did our first event this Christmas when we organised a party at an orphanage. I plan to take it forward in 2015. I wanted to raise Rs 25,000 for charity I ended up raising 60! Because of that money we could give the kids a toy-train ride a jumping jack. Those kids were so happy. When you see a child going crazy having a great time bouncing in a jumping jack that you have rented for just Rs 2,500 that joy is unmatched. I have started realising that there's lot more to life than materialism.

Have you ever had to chase an actor?
I have never really had to chase anyone, luckily for me things have happened.

Is that also because you are your dad's son?
One thing I must establish is that my dad never lets me use his name to bag photoshoots. He told me, 'I am giving you the equipment and your studio, after that you are on your own.' It wasn't like I wasn't tempted, but he has never allowed me that. A lot of people give me this attitude that 'Oh you got it so easy'. But honestly, if I was to take help from him I would be shooting the biggest actor within my first five years. I haven't shot with a lot of them even today. If you see my timeline, I am working with Varun, Shraddha, Ranveer Aditya, Sonam, Sonakshi and Alia. They are all the newer actors. These are relationships I have established by myself. Ranveer is my classmate. We were friend even before we started our career. All the actors have come through my work. It doesn't upset me when people claim that it is easy for me because if I wasn't good at delivering what was required, no matter whose son I was nobody would hire me. I am doing the work I am doing because of who I am.

So you've never had to pursue anyone to pose for you?
I never had to pursue, but I had to manifest. I believe in the laws of attraction. My two biggest aims in life were to shoot Mr Amitabh Bachchan and Aishwarys Rai Bachchan. And I managed to shoot one of them.

Which one?
Mr Bachchan! I shot with him mid-2014. That was the highlight of my Bollywood career. I had never met him before that. On the day of the hoot he asked me 'Are you related to Rakesh?' I said 'Yes I am his son." He went ballistic. That kind of shock value is something else. For this shoot, I got a call asking if I would be free on a particular date to hoot Mr Bachchan. I was like even if I am not I will make sure I am at the shoot. They said they will send my website to his team and let them approve of me as a photographer. That was the time I prayed to every God possible. I cried after that shoot. After he left I sat down and contemplated. That's when I realiseed the enormity of the moment that had passed by. I also knew that I had nailed the shoot, which was even cooler. I knew I had to nail it. He loved the pictures and I was completely over the moon. I have lived a Bollywood child's life. When Mr Bachchan was impressed by my work I was absolutely thrilled.

Which actor is easiest to shoot with?
I have different bonds with different actors. A photographer has to be like a chameleon. Your ideas are great, but you also have to work around the actor's personality and get the best out of them. We are not directors who have them playing a character. We are shooting them as themselves. I have an advantage that they are in my age group. We have common friends, have gone to same tuition. Sonam and I were four when we used to go to computer classes together. These are bonds that are beyond them being an actor and me a photographer. We are now working together and that's really cool. Sonakshi Sinha and I have shot 31 times. And that's not an exaggeration. I can shoot her in my sleep. Shraddha and I are like brother and sister. I connect with her on another level. We are so in sync when we work together. Ranveer and I are 29. We are both going to be 30 this year. We have known each other since we were three in a class of 30 people. I knew Varun before he became an actor. I shot with Arjun even before Ishaqzaade. I knew these guys before they joined the industry they are all easy to work with.

What happens if you are not in a good mood on a day when you have an important shoot?
I will make myself be in a good mood. My job is to get the best out of an actor. We can't have our egos take centrestage. Ego is something I am vehemently against. I got that advice from my father. He said 'Respect the actor because the shoot is about them. Your vision is right, but it's about the actor.' There are other people who have trusted you with their money, time and cover. So you just have to respect that.

Advice to budding photographers…
What's happening with the younger guys that with the digital era I see a lot off impatience. Lighting is the key. It's not your camera, not your equipment. The literal translation of the word photography is painting with light. It's about how you play with light. The biggest advice is don't try to hide behind photoshop. A purist will always be able spot you.

One personality you would give your right arm to work with?
More than a personality I would love to work with Italian photographer Paolo Roversi. Few months back I was assisting a photographer in New York where I was like the guy who serves coffee. And that was fine by me because by being there I got to learn so much. I wouldn't mind doing just that for Roversi.

Which actor comes prepared for a shoot?
Most actors from the younger lot don't come prepared because they are so good with improving on the spot. Most actors from the older generation don't like photoshoots, and you will hear it from them. The younger guys are up for anything. They bring some edge to the table. During a shoot, Shraddha looks over her shoulder and I catch that moment and it goes on to become the cover of a magazine. I love such moments.

Is it easier to shoot for magazine or films?
Working on films is not easy. You have to shoot lots of options and it will be a long day. Magazine shoots is something that I am very comfortable because that is how I began. I began as an editorial photographer for a fashion magazine. I am now an editorial photographer for fashion magazines. I have just begun work on films. Humpty Sharma Ki Dulhania was the first film I worked on.

How did that happen?
I met Karan Johar in New York in 2013. I told him that I am not too sure I want to comeback. I love New York, that city inspires me. But Karan said come back and work on my film. He didn't reveal who the stars are. I told him I will hold you to it. He gave me a number. One day, I called up that person and to my surprise Karan had already spoken to him. I had an offer for an internship so I was wondering whether I should give that up. Finally, I decided to come back. The next thing I know I am shooting for Humpty Sharma and now am working on three-four films.

Who according to you is India's mot photogenic?
Most photogenic actor is Hrithik Roshan and actress is Aishwarya Rai Bachchan. They are my dream projects, but I haven't shot with them as yet.

Who do you consider competition?
Nobody. I am younger than everyone else.

People who are working with your dad are still working…
When my dad was working two of his best friends were Ashok Salian and Jagdish Mali. They used to hang out in my house. They would chill, drink, discuss and ideate together. That was the beauty of their relationship. Today, you put Sonam Kapoor in front of me and then in front of 10 other photographers, we will all shoot her differently. For example even if Christopher Nolan and Steven Spielberg may make larger-than-life sci-fi movies, but you can't say one is better than the other. I am not saying anyone of us is Spielberg or Nolan, but we do have our distinctive style. I respect other photographers, especially my seniors. I have grown up admiring Suresh Natrajan's work. I have grown up looking at Farrokh Chothia and Prabuddha Dasgupta's black and whites, and being inspired. I have referenced their work when I was assisting. Jatin Kampani's lighting is fabulous. Atul Kasbekar' personality is amazing. The way he conducts himself is great. All these guys are people I have aspired to be at various points. There are upcoming guys who are very good too. They are doing some good work. And let them! I don't want to do all the work. I don't want to shoot seven days a week. I will be happy with two-three shoots a week. Quality is what matters.

Is your dad still shooting?
No, he quit in 2009 after my mom passed away. He never shot after that.

What do you see yourself doing five years from now?
I have no idea. I don't know what I am going to be doing one year from now. My biggest goal is to work in New York. The city inspires me. I am a nomad. I want to travel the world. I started scuba diving in 2005. It's become a part of my life now. I am delving into underwater photography. I can't be conformist photographer. That's why sometimes I make the actors do ridiculous things. I have painted Sonam's face, made Shaddha look like a 90-year-old woman. It's great that they have that trust in me. I want to explore various sides of my photography, which will help me explore every side of my personality. Your ideas are an extension of yourself. People think the world is small, but it's also vast. There are great people out there to meet and know. And why shouldn't I explore? I am just 29!

Rapid fire
One mantra you live by…
I don't want to die with any regrets. I was to see the world and live the life.

Describe yourself in five words…
Nomad, restless, bratty, very talkative, and spiritual.

One professional mistake that you will never make…
Taking things for granted and going to shoot without knowing the concept. When you don't know what the concept of a shoot and if everyone there is ready to shoot it, but you are appalled by it then you are in big trouble.

If not a photographer, what would you be?
A scuba-diver, which I already am.

Three things you would want to change about yourself…
My brattiness, my talking non-stop, and negligence when it comes to my workout. Also, I have the foot-in-mouth tendency

Three things you wish you had…
An eight pack, a yacht and a massive complex to build a home for the aged.

Three people you trust blindly…
My father, my grandfather and my friends, who have stuck by my through my turmoil. I was in depression for some time after my mom that's when you need to feel that love. When you feel it, you start pushing yourself harder.

Three moments you want to relive…
My dive with around 100 hammerhead sharks…one of the most surreal experiences of my life. That's when I realised how small we really are. At that moment, your mind is blank you are just in awe! Second, when Roberto Cavalli tweeted my cover. I woke up to massive amounts of hits, when I went to the original source it was Roberto Cavalli. I was awestuck. I went to see if the account was fake. I didn't even know that gown on the cover was Cavalli...that was the best part of it. And third, the family trip which was the last time my dad, me and my mom spent time together in Switzerland. It was my parents' 25th wedding anniversary. It was one year before my mom passed way. She was unwell, but my dad and I made extraordinary effort to have a great family vacation. And we all hated the cold, so we all huddled in the room trying to stay warm. Those are moments that I never really experienced as a child, and those are the ones that I cherish the most.

Three times you felt let down…
I pitched a concept to a magazine, which was an extraordinary concept, and they went ahead and shot it with another photographer. I was heavily let down. Then those occasions when people don't turn up for a shoot after making you wait for six hours. Or when you are let down by yourself because a shoot hasn't turned out the way it should. But it's these lows that teach you the most. I may abuse the world when I am facing such situations, but when I look back I realise that if I didn't go through those lows I wouldn't be the person I am today.

Three qualities you wish you had…
Sleep discipline, time management, and find time to do things that I love doing. Basically all three are related to time.

Are you single?
No.

An average day in your life…
I wish I had the luxury to describe an average day. Each day is absolutely different. Sometime I wonder if that 9 to 5 job would be good, but then I know that I can't live as per a regiment. There are days when I wake up at 7 am, on other at 11 am. Sometimes I wake up at 9 am and go to the gym, that's very rare but I should be doing that a lot more.