Hiren Kotwani (BOMBAY TIMES; January 12, 2016)

Dabboo Ratnani's annual calendar presents Bollywood in its true glory. This year again, the ace lensman has superstars of all statures, shapes and sizes posing exclusively for him. While the pictures of Shah Rukh Khan and Hrithik Roshan can be termed scene-stealers; Parineeti Chopra in her slim avatar is also being discussed. Says Dabboo, “Having turned a fitness enthusiast, Parineeti has become extra cautious about her diet. However, she broke her resolve for this picture. She agreed to raid the refrigerator and eat a midnight snack. The chocolate, ice cream, pizza and cupcake add to the fun story around this sexy shot.“

The photographer tells us how he conceptualised the shots for Hrithik and SRK.


SHAH RUKH KHAN
We played with a lot of water for this sexy picture. Shah Rukh was shy when Manisha (my wife) told him to unbutton his shirt. The beard and outfit make him look a bit grungy. We shot this against the backdrop of an old gate in Film City studios. Shah Rukh was sporting when I asked him if we could wet his jacket, which he had brought from his personal wardrobe.

HRITHIK ROSHAN
I was clear that I wanted to shoot outdoors with Hrithik. He has shot with me 15 times earlier and the pictures that were clicked in the open have usually worked well. This picture was taken outside Mehboob studio. While it took me over an hour to set up the shot, the actual shot itself took just five minutes. I thought it would be great to see him dressed for a movie premiere, sitting on the carrier of an old taxi and laughing away. When Aalim (hair stylist) suggested that Duggu also throw the paper, I went along with it.