Celebrity photographer Munna Thaakur on his equation with Salman Khan, sharing a room with Sonu Sood and aspiring to work with Shah Rukh Khan – Exclusive – Times of India

Celebrity photographer Munna Thaakur, who came to Mumbai with just Rs 24 in his pocket and started his career as a newspaper hawker, went on to work with several A-list celebs in Bollywood. ETimes sat down with the ace lensman for a freewheeling chat where he spoke about sharing a room with Sonu Sood during his struggling days, Arjun Rampal being his first client, and Salman Khan being his support system throughout. Excerpts…

Tell us something about your initial days in the industry…
Mumbai didn’t open arms for me that easily, this city has tested me hard too. Without much education, I could only find small jobs. In 1993, in Lokhandwala, Andheri, Mumbai – I started working as a paperboy and distributed newspapers in the houses of Lokhandwala. Back then in Lokhandwala, there was a photo studio where the celebrities used to come for their portfolio shoots, and I used to deliver newspapers in the photo studio as well, so I requested them to let me work there. While I worked there in the studio, I went to Mayuri Kango’s house to deliver her passport photo. That’s where I asked her secretary to let me shoot with her. She had done ‘Papa Kehte Hain’ movie and was travelling. After she returned, she shot with me, and I gave her that picture to Stardust Magazine. It was the first time my work got published in a known magazine back then. Then I bumped into Mukul Dev at a petrol pump, and I requested that he let me shoot with him, He let me come to his house and shoot with him. He was shooting for ‘Kohram’ at that time. That photo, which I shot, was published in G Magazine in 1999. Then I called John Abraham. He was shooting in Pune. Celebrities used to answer calls as they were also trying to establish themselves in the industry, and in those days, there were no blocking and disconnecting calls. People used to answer and humbly help each other grow. John was shooting for ‘Moksha’ that didn’t release, but his body shots, which I clicked, were used on the hoardings. That’s how my work started getting recognition, and those were my initial breaks in the industry.

You have worked with a lot of Bollywood celebrities before and after you took up photography as a profession. Who has been the most supportive in your journey so far?
Not to name one, but everyone from Salman Khan to Suniel Shetty to Bipasha Basu has been very supportive. I got in touch with Bipasha Basu through her makeup artist. She was the first female actor I worked with and she has been very supportive. After her photo shoot, I got to shoot with many female models and actresses.

You shared a room with Sonu Sood during your struggling days. What are your fond memories of those times?
After I shifted to Lokhandwala, Andheri, in 1997, I had no place to live, and in those days, Sonu Sood was also new. He was also looking to establish himself in the industry. I had become friends with him and did shoot for him as my practising model. When Sonu shifted to Oshiwara to an independent house with his other three friends. I requested him to let me stay in his house as I had no place to live, and as humble, kind, and helpful as he is, he let me live in his house. As an actor, he had a very basic lifestyle. We used to collect our monthly earnings, give our shares of rent, food, and go to the movies. It was fun living with him. We have shared the same bond of relationship to date.

Today, Sonu Sood has grown leaps and bounds as an actor. He has also become a messiah for many after his noble works during the pandemic. Has he changed over the years?
Nothing has changed. In fact, I shot with him during the pandemic as well, it was his way of helping and keeping my sanity during the difficult times. I have known Sonu since my struggling days. I call him ‘struggle ka saathi’. The world got to know him as a helping Messiah only after the pandemic, but I have been witness to his kindness since I have known him. He was always helpful and kind to many people like me. I believe nothing can change a person’s character, that’s the upbringing of Sonu Sood, and that will remain forever.

Arjun Rampal was your first client when you turned photographer. Tell us about the story of how you pulled it off?

I used to deliver newspapers at Arjun Rampal’s house as well as in Lokhandwala. Back then I requested his maid to help me talk to Arjun. I somehow got to speak to him, and he asked me to show him my previous work. I told him I didn’t have any professional work to show and requested that he give me an opportunity. He gave me that opportunity, I was called to the film city where he was shooting at the time. I went there, and that was the first professional project of my life as a photographer.

Like many others, do you also consider Salman Khan to be one of your Godfathers in the industry?

When I first met Salman Khan, I had already done a few photo shoots with known celebrities. I was doing work, but Salman Khan added the icing to my career’s cake. He added value to my work. His appreciation and recommendations added value to my career. People started recognising me as a photographer and I gained more respect through him. Salman Khan has promoted me more than I could expect, he has always appreciated my work in front of many and through that I got more work. I did many ads and film shoots through his recommendations. Salman Khan has a tremendous aura, working with him is like a mix of all feelings. I am a fan, he’s like my brother, there’s a lot of love and a lot of compassion between us. It’s a mixed feeling to have him around and work with him. Like me, he has helped and still helps many in uplifting their careers and lives. If that’s what is defined as a Godfather, I would love to call him that.

You have captured many celebrity faces in your lens. Who, according to you, has the most photogenic face in the industry?

I believe, divine creations are not to be judged, they should be admired and captured.

There has to be a certain level of comfort between a photographer and his subject which sort of shows in the pictures. How do you do that?

When I shoot, they are mostly known celebrities and have worked with me more than once so that unsaid comfort zone is always there. If I am not shooting with any known personality, I still make them feel like celebrities, and they automatically feel that comfort with me. The comfort will not come, if I make them feel like I am a celebrity photographer and they are still not established.

Name one celebrity you just can’t wait to capture in your camera.

Shah Rukh Khan – I desperately await to capture him and I know my manifestations will come true soon. Even before I was a paperboy, I once got to see SRK on the sets of the Baadshah movie in 1999, I was a walkie-boy on the shoot.

You have been in the industry for a long time now. Is there any interesting story or incident that you will never forget?

My journey itself is an anecdote, from where I began as a paperboy to becoming Munna Thaakur Singh, the photographer – every person and shoot has been like a chapter in my life’s book. Each experience is an interesting anecdote and turning point.

Each person I shot with and everyone who came in my professional and personal life have lifted me one step upward. Everyone has contributed their bit in my life that has lifted me. There is not one experience, not one story, it’s a milestone achieved every time.

Who is that one celebrity who you share a close bond with?

Though I share a great bond with Taapsee Pannu, that one person will be Suniel Shetty (Anna). He has been a great guidance, helping me with any and every thing. I can share anything with him without hesitation.