Photo Finish

Rani Mukerji: She realises that her eyes speak volumes. ‘‘Rani prefers close-ups,’’ says film photographer Dabboo Ratnani. Fitted, strappy clothes are a strict no-no.

Hrithik Roshan: Perfectionist Roshan likes looking in the mirror behind the photographer’s lens. And gets a sneezing fit if he has to shoot with cats. Says photographer Jayesh Sheth, ‘‘Hrithik loves to shoot in water. Even if he’s indoors, he sprays his hair with water.’’

John Abraham: The hunk refuses to shave off his stubble. Thinks he looks like a baby without the fuzz.

Aishwarya Rai: She hardly ever insists on a pretty picture. Ash experiments with make-up too.

Dia Mirza: She has to be really convinced to experiment. Ratnani shares a secret, ‘‘Dia is very particular about her hair and overall look. She likes to project the pure look. Once, I wanted her to sport a blonde wig. When I told her that, she nearly fell off the chair.’’

Ria Sen: This one takes the cake. Ria’s willing to strike any pose, wear anything as long as she’s got the right people. ‘‘Ria wants specific make-up men and hair stylists—otherwise no shoot,’’ whispers an ace lensman.

Suniel Shetty: He has a great bod but refuses to show it off. ‘‘I’m a family man, yaar,’’ is his constant refrain to Subi Samuel. Translated, he doesn’t like to pose shirtless.

Mahima Choudhary: She’s by far the most adventurous. Whether it’s painting her face or flaunting native American feathers, Mahima knows how to play the game—sportingly.

Sushmita Sen: Style matters most. You will never catch the Sen posing in rags. And she’s involved with the shoot right from day one.

Shilpa Shetty: She likes animals. Fur, leopard spots or tiger skin, Shilpa likes to bare her animal instinct.

Katrina Kaif: She would rather be caught dead than with her hair tied. And her cell beeps non-stop during shoots. Wonder who’s on the line?

Salman Khan: He has just that much time and likes his photographers to get it right with the first click. A word of caution: he has a list of publications he doesn’t want the pictures to reach.

Amitabh Bachchan: Comfort is the Big B’s only priority. Give him loose pathanis over trousers any time. He likes to shoot indoors, his favourite being a restaurant. ‘‘He’s very particular about the ambience. And when he’s in the restaurant, Mr Bachchan will always ask for an ice cream,’’ says Ratnani.
Fardeen Khan: A leather freak.

Tabu: Needs her fix of Buddha Bar. Performs best with trance and prefers black and white pictures.

Madhuri Dixit: Can go the whole range of smiles. Asks lensmen for the beam quotient, and then accordingly delivers—full mouthed, crooked, sexy, full-of-attitude or plain mischievous.

Shah Rukh Khan: There’s nothing like a bad hair day. Mess with his hair all you want. And he clicks best with kids and animals.

Abhishek Bachchan: He’s the music supplier to all his photographers. From Arabic to club to house and trance, Aby’s baby has the best collection in Bollywood. And refuses to do a shoot without a tune or two in the background.

Kareena Kapoor: She likes to go nude… we mean the no make-up look. Bebo has to be cajoled to put it on.

Akshaye Khanna: He pitches in as a substitute technician. Knows lots about lighting and shots and won’t stop with those questions.

Akshay Kumar: Prays before he shoots. ‘‘He’s very superstitious and is very eager to see the contact sheet of pictures,’’ lets on Sheth.

Rekha: Every piece of her jewellery must sparkle, the tinge of her nail polish be highlighted, the lip gloss shine through and even the inner line of her liner must be in focus. Says a bemused Sheth, ‘‘Rekha is obsessed with perfection. She jokes that production value toh zaroor dikhna chahiye.’’