Published on: 6/19/2014IST
Behind the Scenes at the Kingfisher Calendar Shoot
The Kingfisher calendar is synonymous with a perfect balance of sexiness, class, style, elegance, and of course, beauty. This isn't just a swimsuit calendar - it's a calendar that personifies sensual seductiveness coupled with a very slight edge. In it's 10th year now, MensXP takes you behind the scenes with Atul Kasbekar, the man responsible for the fabulousness that those pictures portray. In a casual tête-à -tête, Atul talks about the calendar, the girls and the all-essential X factor!
You've been associated with the Kingfisher calendar since its inception. What does each shoot bring out besides the obvious?
Atul Kasbekar: Before I could shoot the very first Kingfisher calendar, I had an idea of what I wanted to do and how I wanted to implement it. I had a discussion with Dr. Mallya and he married the idea of the Kingfisher calendar with the core values of the UB Group. He was sure that this was meant to be a platform for fashion, which would also be a springboard for launching new talent.
India has all but lost the supermodel and this calendar is an effort to bring her back. It's more than new faces and fresh talent - it's about the X factor. This calendar has a holistic view to beauty, style and talent, and it's a combination of all this and more that we bring you.
Once we shortlist the Kingfisher calendar girls, what I do visually comes into play. This year we wanted the calendar to become a talking point, which is why we've sized it at 26 ½"x16. It's large and the images, the placement of images on different leaves, the play with images in terms of number of images per page, are all points of conversation. Yes, it's about the pictures, but it's also a lot, lot more.
As always, the focus is good times, which includes cuisine, travel and life.
What can we expect from the 2014 Kingfisher calendar?
Atul Kasbekar: Be prepared to be surprised. The Kingfisher calendar has been known to launch some of the best acting talent in India. Deepika Padukone, Katrina Kaif, Preeti Desai and Esha Gupta were just a few of the many Kingfisher girls who entered Bollywood. This year as well, the six girls will leave you speechless. Expect a few surprises.
Do the Kingfisher calendars have a theme?
Atul Kasbekar: A theme is very limiting in many ways, which is why we never have a theme. We ensure that all our photographs are fresh, clean and they appeal to the largest segment of people. This is a calendar that should find favour with everyone and all the photographs are beautiful in their simplicity.
When I shot the first calendar, I asked friends who were models to pose and there were a lot of inhibitions. However, by the third year, mothers called me and asked that I feature their daughters in the calendars.
Dr. Mallya told me to be mindful of just two things when shooting the calendar - that all photographs have to be simple and beautiful, and that all women have to be treated with utmost respect.
This is a calendar that has no theme but, it's subtly sexy, beautiful and elegant.
Everyone talks about the X factor. Can you tell us what that X factor is?
Atul Kasbekar: The X factor is what the camera does to you. The camera picks up things that the naked eye can't see. It sees features, qualities, and even a different personality that's not visible to the naked eye. That to me is the X factor. It comes down to how much the camera likes you.
What does it take to become a Kingfisher calendar girl?
Atul Kasbekar: Attitude, personality and the X factor. Being a swimsuit model is a different ballgame altogether. A swimsuit model can't be too skinny; she has to be toned, fit, have muscle tone and sporty. She should be able to run, swim, cycle, etc. Ideally, she should be 5'8 or taller. The longer the legs, the better it always is.
Take us through telling moments on this year's shoot.
Atul Kasbekar: Whoever is up there in the great blue sky has been very good to me and I feel blessed. When I was in the Philippines for the recce, an earthquake hit but we were okay. While we were in Boracay and Cebu, we had the most amazing weather and brilliant light, which ensured we had a perfect shoot. After we returned to India, the typhoon Haiyan flattened the place. I feel immensely lucky and while the shoot was memorable, these are moments that will stay with me forever.
We can expect the Kingfisher calendar 2014 to be a visual treat because...
Atul Kasbekar: I just have too much of practice now (laughs)
One reason why the Kingfisher calendar should adorn everyone's walls?
Atul Kasbekar: To show the world that you're cool enough to own one.
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