Gautam Rajadhyaksha was one of the most loved people in the Hindi film industry. And it showed when Bollywood stars who've worked with him and knew him spoke warmly about their favourite photographer. Here's what these stars had to say about the maverick lensman who
passed away yesterday morning due to a heart attack:
Juhi Chawla: "It's all very sad. When I reached his home on Tuesday afternoon I didn't want to go inside. I didn't want to see him lying still. I shot many times with him in the beginning of my career.
Gautam and makeup artiste Mickey Contractor would turn Plain Jane(me) into a stunner.
All my Lux ads pics were shot by him in his studio room, in his balcony with natural light
Really now when I think back , I had some really lovely times with Gautam.
The pictures he shot were very classy and if the shooting went on longer than expected we'd have yummy lunch cooked by his loyal help, in big thalis."
Katrina Kaif: "I think he epitomized the intimate relationship between beauty and the lens. Beautiful women looked even more beautiful when he shot them.
Be it Madhuri, Aishwarya or Kajol, his photography added a certain magic to their image.I think he was one of his kind."
Raveena Tandon: "With Gautam
Bhaiyya's death a chapter in my life has closed.He did my first ever portfolio and my first ever magazine cover. I always called him
Bhaiyya. Today when I visited his home each nook and corner has a story to tell. History was created in that house. Newcomers became icons after he shot them.His passion for music, art and opera is reflected in his home. His house is now a treasure trove for any artiste. Sad that he went without seeing his Poona project completed. He was to inaugurate it on 16 September, his birthday."
Bipasha Basu: "He was the first photographer
I shot with after winning the Ford Model contest. He was such a genuine and warm human being. He used to call me Sophia Loren. May his soul rest in peace."
Padmini Kolhapure: "I'm utterly shocked and deeply saddened. Gautam and I go back such a long way.
I can't even begin to tell you how I feel about him.He has been a part of my life and career from the time I stepped into the industry. I did my last photo-session for my film
Maaee with Gautam along with Asha Bhosle
ji who was also very close to him.She must be devastated. He had his favourite friends in the industry.
Everyone loved him. For me he was like a family member. He was truly a genius with the camera. I can go on and on about him. But what's the point? I pray for his soul to rest in peace.
Pritish Nandy: "Gautam was a friend. He produced some of his best work for the Illustrated Weekly Of India when I was editing it.
Recently he wrote a charming script and a script outline for me. I will miss him.
Shilpa Shetty: "I worked with him only twice. He was a wonderful guy with a great sense of humour. He pioneered the trend of shooting actors in glamorous ways.
He made us all us look so good! This is a sad day indeed. May his soul rest in peace."
Minissha Lamba: "Deeply saddened to hear of his death. He has immortalized every star that he shot. His lens was luminous.
There is no photographer comparable to him."
Amrita Rao: "Just some months ago in January he had shot the publicity stills of Rajshri's Love U Mr Kalaakar with me.
We were planning a retro shoot soon. I am terribly shocked his death.Just a few days ago I thought of calling Gautamji as I was packing this shawl that he had absolutely loved."