A Recollection With Venket Ram

A recollection W I T H VENKET RAM

Afshan Shad

Women’s Day. Some people like it and some aren’t exactly fond of it; nonetheless, it is a day where we look up to the women in our lives, celebrate them proudly and boast of their stories. And that is just what celebrity photographer, Venket Ram does.

Being in the industry for decades, Venket Ram has worked with some sensational women from all across the country. And this Women’s Day, the ace photographer took time off his busy schedule for a small chat with the Brew, recalling some of the fondest memories of the women he has photographed.

Vandana Gopikumar and Vaishnavi Jayakumar

“I fondly remember Vandana and Vaishnavi in the 90s when they were running a home for destitute women and for people who had mental disabilities in Mogappair. It was just the two of them as young girls in their 20s when I met them first.

I started shooting greeting cards for them where I would photograph and the images will be used on the greeting cards to raise funds for the Banyan. And later on, I was also involved in a lot of projects with them which involved shooting and photography. I remember shooting in their very first facility which was in a very small house in Mogappair and I’m proud to say that over the years, I’ve seen the Banyan grow; I’ve seen Vandana and Vaishnavi turn that small place into such a beautiful organisation where people from all over the country come to learn how to help mentally disabled women. The way they’ve taken the whole thing forward as a research centre and have been vocal for their cause, helping several women reunite with their families all over India... It’s wonderful. I’ve seen these girls turn into two forces to reckon today and I’m very proud to be associated with them.” “

“Shobana is one of the people I’ve worked with over the years and she brings as much grace into a photographer as she does into her performances. Her vibrancy, her expressions, and her dedication to the art... it is not something one can look away from. And it is a splendid challenge to capture them on camera because you have got to do justice to the danseuse.” “

Samantha was one of the actresses in my Raja Ravi Varma paintings and one of the things I needed to match with the painting was the facial features. The eyebrows, the hairline and what would suit, the way the paintings were modelled mattered. Whether they were standing or sitting or thinking, we needed to match. Then it became about the body language and what we wanted to achieve. Samantha was definitely one of the people who pulled it off with perfection. It’s very wholesome whenever I look at the picture. “

Kangana Ranaut is a versatile actress but what most people do not know is that she’s fierce in her work. Whether it’s shooting for a film or a photo shoot, she brings a strong, fierce aura into the space that you cannot help but be empowered by it. Her pointed glare, her chin up high, her confident posture; all these features invite a strong presence that the people around are also influenced by it. “

P. V. Sindhu

“When shooting an athlete you never know what to expect. They’re very active people, moving around a lot. But Sindhu has a very calming presence about her and she’s extremely focused in what she does. The fact that she’s not a model but is ready to adapt to things and try out new ideas is truly fascinating. She’s calm, collected and to be frank candid.” “