Mickey Contractor, who worked on a number of projects with the legendary portraitist Gautam Rajadhyaksha, tells Kanika Sikka why their bond was so special.
Mickey Contractor, who worked on a number of projects with the legendary portraitist Gautam Rajadhyaksha, tells Kanika Sikka why their bond was so special.
How and when did you both start working together?
We started working around 23 years ago. He called me one day for a shoot and we instantly connected from then on. Our aesthetics were the same, our beliefs were the same.
We’ve spent millions of evenings together. Drinking wine, having dinner, chatting. He was such a knowledgeable man and I’ve learnt so much from him. He was like a guru, mentor, and guide for me.
What was your first impression of Gautam?
I thought he was a very funny man. He had a very sharp tongue with a great sense of humour. He had a very keen eye for detailing and loved listening to music. Indeed we both connected very well as we were both Asha Bhosle fans.
How did you happen to work as on so many projects together?
When we started working as a team of photographer and make-up artist/stylist, we were the only team that did so. We had no monitors, no Photoshop, nothing. Every shot was a final image. We were pioneers of this kind of collaboration and our work turned out to be good.
We both grew as make-up artist and a photographer. Every photograph was an effort by both of us. I would suggest him different kind of lighting and he would give me tips on make-up. Everything we did was a team effort for both of us.
Would you like to share any special moments that you have spent with him?
Every minute spent with Gautam was a memory. We worked with so many new comers who are now big stars and every time we worked as a team, we shared special moments. But now that he is gone, it would only be fair for me to keep these stories between us. It would be unethical to talk about any of our memory together.
Is there any picture that you would term as your favourite among all his shots?
There are far too many pictures taken by him that are my favourite and every picture has a story behind it, a memory behind it. There are so many relationships, memories, moments behind every photograph and it would not be fair to point to a single one as my favourite.
How did you cope with the news of him passing away?
When the news came to me, I was shocked. I thought somebody was playing a prank with me. I spoke to him just 10 days ago and I was supposed to go to Pune with him in two days. It was very difficult for me to believe that he was no more. Even though I saw him during the cremation, the feeling of him not being with me any more hasn’t sunk in as yet.
He was one of my closest friends, my 3am friend who I could call and take suggestions on anything at any time. And he would help me out in every way.
What according to you defines Gautam Rajadhyaksha?
Gautam was a very generous man. Generous in every way! He had such a knowledgeable personality and he wanted to share his knowledge with everyone. He guided every upcoming photographer. He sat with them for hours and gave them advices. There were times when I’d be sitting next to him and he would spend hours explaining new comers and helping them improve their work.
He had so much to give to everyone and he gave so much to me as well. That man was born to give.
He was a father-figure in my life who taught me so much that I will never forget.
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