Photos that click

The owner of Prem Studios in Kamla Nagar,Sabharwal is used to handling nervous,sometimes hostile,customers. His studio is famous for being the first choice of politicians,who come to have their campaign photograph taken. Many Union Ministers,Chief Ministers and hundreds of aspiring politicians have trusted Sabharwal to get that perfect smiling picture — wrinkle-free and with an ‘endearing’ smile — that will click with the voters. Most have been his customers since their DU days.

“For 17 years,till 2010 polls,all DUSU presidents have had their pictures clicked here. Most of the time,they go on to become part of larger parties,and it is through their recommendation that senior functionaries come,” Sabharwal says.

With MCD elections around the corner,candidates have been pouring in,more than a hundred in the last two months,as per studio records. “As soon as constituencies were reserved for women,leaders started coming in with their wives,” Sabharwal says.

Among the photos on a ledger that Sabharwal started to maintain a few years ago of all the politicians who visit,are many prominent politicians,from Delhi Mayor Rajni Abbi and Union Minister Jaipal Reddy to Sachin Pilot and a host of MPs and MLAs from UP.

Some have strange tastes. Haryana MP Ajay Chautala stares at voters while wearing a biker costume of sorts: chains and jacket and an intense look. “This is for his campaign picture,” Sabharwal says. “Everyone has preferences based on their states. I find it all very interesting. When I started,the serious look was in and every one wore Gandhi caps in the pictures. Then people started to wear closed jackets,and the ‘kranti’ look — with hands raised — came. Rajiv Gandhi brought in the shawl look. Now almost every one is dressed in casuals,and they all smile and want to connect with the voters.”

His primary constituency,student union candidates,have also changed over the years. “Student union candidates now go for glamour. We were the first to ask men to wear hair gel and girls to pose with their hair open. There was a time when DUSU candidates all wore Gandhi caps.”

Detractors may cry Photoshop,but for Sabharwal it is a tough job “bringing out the inner personality of a person”,as he calls it. “I have to read all the papers everyday in order to make conversation with politicians. You have to talk to put them at ease. Sometimes it is tough. I remember Sushma Swaraj ordering me out of her room,saying ‘I don’t want my pictures clicked by you’. But I managed. Now she knows me by name.”

Talking seems to be helping Akanksha,who after some life advice and some readjustment of the hair,is now smiling naturally. Two clicks,and Sabharwal has accomplished it — the perfect picture. The most inviting smile possible and a flawless face.

Sabharwal’s new customer-base includes self-styled spiritual gurus. “In the last few years,we have clicked the pictures of a lot of gurus. I am going to Vrindavan for another shoot. They also want to connect with their devotees,” he says.

Is it difficult with gurus? “Politicians,gurus,everyone wants to look good,” Sabharwal says.