The beginning: I guess my journey as a photographer started when I purchased by my first camera, which was a humble Nikon D3100. I mean there was no point me buying a spectacular full frame camera when I didn’t even know how to use the functions! The same way you can’t pass your driving test and jump into a Ferrari.
First shot: The first really memorable photo I took was during a proposal at Madisson Bar, which has spectacular views of St Pauls. That was the first professional photo I took and later edited. The best thing about that photo was it still looked natural and showed me the power of capturing a moment in time.
First big event: For me, the first big break in my photography career came when I was asked to cover one of the summer melas. I covered the Slough mela, and starting out in the industry as a newbie it was an experience I will never forget. The buzz leading up to the event, hearing your favourite songs from great singers live, and the excitement with so many people there was amazing.
Star encounter: I have been fortunate enough to photograph a number of celebrities, and a personal favourite was the glamorous Shilpa Shetty at a New Years Eve event.
The big bhangra: Another celebrity moment which is memorable was photographing the beautiful Miss Pooja. Growing up as a bhangra fan, the only music I would blare out of the car would be the Rishi Rich crew, and of course Miss Pooja. There was always a dream that one day I would meet her and recently that became a reality.
Wedding memory: I have been privileged enough to capture the big day of many couples. The first ever wedding I captured will always be my most memorable, simply due to the fact that rather than being a guest, I was one of the suppliers! It was memorable because I got to see and experience all the little bits of detail that go into a successful wedding. The emotions during the whole day were extremely high and sometimes it was hard not to let that get in the way, especially at times like the bride leaving her parents home to join her husband’s family.
Political moment: I had the honour of clicking and meeting Indian prime minister Narendra Modi when he visited the UK at a spectacular series of events. Every little detail of that was looked into and taken care of. I had the honour of capturing some of those moments.
The edits: The best part of photography for me is the post-editing. Some photographers would call me crazy and rightly so. Many think photography is simply clicking a button and voila, there’s your photo, but professionals understand the challenging aspects of post-editing. However editing is in no terms negative, as once you have clicked a photo you can truly bring out the beauty in it by enhancing certain aspects. Just don’t ask a photographer to make you look slimmer or more muscular. I’m sorry, it won’t happen!
Life lessons: Photography has helped me in many ways, including enabling me to live my passion and capture once-in-a-lifetime situations that will never happen again. Photography also acts as a stress reliever, has boosted my own creativity and inspired my imagination. Photography also allows you to see detail you may usually miss in everyday life and has allowed me to document my career.
Phone snap: It is true to an extent when people say: ‘You can’t take a clean shot from your phone camera compared to a DSLR’. However if you’re a photographer who has an eye for detail, it is possible to get pretty close to the quality of a DSLR. I have captured some cool photos on my phone, including a great shot of an open leaves tunnel at Hampton Court Palace.
Stills from Andaz Apna Apna
Stills from Andaz Apna Apna
Vinay Kumar Sinha
Rahul’s casual dismissal of that controversy has added fuel to the fire
Rahul Bhatt sparks controversy over 'insensitive' remarks about sisters Alia and Pooja Bhatt
Rahul Bhatt, fitness trainer and son of veteran filmmaker Mahesh Bhatt, has found himself at the centre of a social media storm following controversial remarks about his half-sister, Alia Bhatt. In a recent interview, Rahul drew comparisons between Alia and their older sister Pooja Bhatt, calling the latter more talented, attractive, and principled.
The comments, which many have labelled inappropriate and insensitive, have sparked widespread criticism online. During the interview, Rahul stated, “In my opinion, she (Alia) is not even half of what my real sister Pooja is. Not in talent, not in looks, not in terms of being sexy. In front of my sister, she is ‘paani kam chai’ (watery tea). Amongst the siblings, the most talented and the most moralistic is Pooja.”
Social media users reacted strongly, questioning why Rahul would compare his sisters in such personal terms. Several users were particularly disturbed by his reference to their appearance and sex appeal, pointing out that such comparisons within a family cross boundaries of propriety. One comment read, “This is disturbing. Why talk about your sisters like that? It’s not just weird, it’s wrong.” Another post said, “There’s nothing respectful about comparing your siblings’ attractiveness in public.”
The backlash also reignited conversation around a decades-old controversy involving Mahesh Bhatt and Pooja Bhatt. Rahul was asked about the infamous 1990s magazine cover where the father-daughter duo shared a kiss, which had stirred public outrage at the time. Dismissing the criticism, Rahul said, “It doesn’t make any difference. It’s like water off a duck’s back. We know the truth, and we’ve seen everything since childhood.”
Rahul’s casual dismissal of that controversy has added fuel to the fire, with critics saying it reflects a broader issue of the Bhatt family being insensitive to public perception and boundaries. Many users questioned the need for bringing up old incidents in a bid to defend new and equally questionable statements.
As of now, neither Alia Bhatt nor Pooja Bhatt has issued any public response to Rahul’s remarks. Both actors, known for their significant contributions to Indian cinema, have typically kept family matters private despite living in the public eye.
This episode has also sparked debate over the role of public figures in maintaining respect when discussing family matters in the media. Observers say such comments, especially when involving women’s appearance and personal qualities, reinforce problematic attitudes and fuel unnecessary controversies.
While Rahul Bhatt is not as prominent in the entertainment industry as his father or sisters, his comments have made headlines and placed the Bhatt family in the spotlight for reasons beyond their creative work. For many, this serves as a reminder that public platforms come with responsibility, and that family ties should not be trivialised or dissected for attention or comparison.
The backlash is unlikely to subside soon, especially as fans and followers of Alia and Pooja continue to express disappointment over the way the situation has unfolded. Whether or not Rahul chooses to clarify or apologise remains to be seen.