Metro Plus
Bangalore
Chennai
Hyderabad
KAREN BALM AND ARVIND CHENJI GET WACKY OVER FASHION, PASTIMES AND MORE
`The camera never lies'
FORMAL SHIRT tucked into chinos, you would be forgiven for thinking Arvind Chenji to be an investment banker. "I'm a photographer-filmmaker-sweeteater. I can polish off a kilo of rossagollas," he says by way of introducing himself as he settles deep into the peacock blue couch at the Executive Lounge, Hotel ITC Kakatiya Sheraton and Towers. Karen Balm, one of the city's well-known models joins him in minutes. There's only a faint trace of makeup and she looks all fresh and pretty. She blushes when Arvind says,"She's as beautiful a person at heart."
Fashion modelling cannot fit into the frame of a single photograph. But some of the best shots from Indian fashion seem to achieve just that. A tightly cropped portrait, the essence of a ramp or studio seems uniquely capturable by the emulsion on a piece of film. Showcasing the latest on the fashion circuit is Karen's passion and in years of photographing her, Arvind has adeptly manoeuvred between the imposing vista and the close-up.
Deepa Alexander captures excerpts from the conversation.
Arvind: Why are you wearing those Woody Allen glasses?
Karen: When did you start looking so handsome? You were old Mr. Chenji when I first met you at your studio. You said I'd make it big, that I needed to get my act together. It was a photo shoot for Zubin Vakil.
Arvind: I remember. You were poised like a charioteer on four men, held aloft by four woollen strands.
Karen: That was not quite the picture. How did you get started?
Arvind: Last time I was asked that question my kids were told not to read my response. I stole my dad's camera, stole money meant for vegetables and bought my first roll of film. Then I learnt to develop it and got hooked.
Karen: Was it like discovering magic?
Arvind: Yes. I went bonkers - bought photography magazines, read from end to end. I tried to figure out what was in the photographer's mind and how he did it. How did you get started? I know I motivated you.
Karen: Some hope that.
Arvind: Half the people in town are famous because of me.
Karen chokes on the water then gurgles.
Arvind: Manners please. I only make that sound in the morning.
Karen: I got into modelling because some of my friends asked me to give it a try. It took me a while to get adjusted to what the field required.
Watermelon juice arrives. Karen graciously thanks the staff.
Arvind: Don't be too taken up with it. It's from the Balaji Mithai Bhandar.
Karen: Give me a break.
Arvind: How do you manage to stay slim and fit? Fat shows up especially during fashion shoots. Which is why I'm behind the camera, never in front of it.
Karen: I credit my fitness to my passion for dancing. I learnt a classical Indian form but I'm a floaty kind of person. I'm more toes than heel which is why I switched to Western. Dancing disciplined me. I learnt jazz. Then the salsa, which I loved because it has so much life.
Arvind: Is that a sauce?
Karen (laughs): Also learnt the samba.
Arvind: Now I thought the samba was a dance till I saw Sholay. (Gestures with his hands like Amjad Khan). Arre o samba!
Karen: Oh! please. Let's get serious. What do you think makes for a bad model?
Arvind: You're one of the nice kind. But Hyderabad is full of the not-so-nice ones. It's an attitude problem and some are downright lazy. What do you think makes a good photographer?
Karen: A photographer should be able to get you in the right mood and then bring it up. There should be a comfort zone between model and photographer. You need to be comfortable in what you are wearing and who is on the other side of the lens.
Arvind: But I enjoy concentrating on the form and not the substance. Photographing is a mind game.
Karen: I enjoy working with you. Your style of working is fun and friendly. And you have lots of patience. But I prefer the ramp to shoots. And I have no favourite designers.
Arvind: I work fast. I even read two books at a time. And try to write a story too. Wind doesn't blow between my ears like it does for someone here!
Karen: Hmmm. What are you reading now?
Arvind: A collection of horror stories and another one on aliens.
Karen: Do aliens interest you? Don't you ever do something normal like dance?
Arvind: When I do it's like a jinga-la-la. I'm more into swimming and judo.
Karen: That's on my agenda. Learning to swim like a pro.
Arvind: I love to travel. Just take the car or bike and drive for miles. It brings you peace. Sometimes, it's only the camera and me.
Karen: Photography is something I wanted to learn but then it's expensive and many people told me it's way out of my league.
Arvind: Don't listen to people. They're negative and expect you to follow the well- trodden path. Just follow your heart. Or you'll live your life thinking of what might have been.
Karen: I'm training to be a fitness instructor and have not thought of jumping on the movie bandwagon. God knows best and I take life one day at a time. Do you know where you're heading?
Arvind: I want to finally own the world. Fly with eagles and swim with whales. I'm a dreamer and don't want to sleep on my dreams.
Karen: Live life to the fullest?
Arvind: Yes! And enjoy it while I'm at it.
Printer friendly
page
Send this article to Friends by
E-Mail
Metro Plus
Bangalore
Chennai
Hyderabad
|
