Dabboo Ratnani's calender pics

Deepika sheds inhibitions for a celebrity calendar

B-Town photographer Dabboo Ratnani's annual New Year offering is out -- his calendar. This is his 11th year of capturing the top stars for his trademark almanac. The 2010 calendar has only black-and-white snapshots.



DEEPIKA PADUKONE
The picture makes her look as if she is not wearing anything as the parts of the body you see are bare. I wanted to make her look sensual, but aesthetic. Last year, I had shot her in a sari, so this is in total contrast. She strikes a thinking, dreamy pose, and I have used lighting to match her mood.

"Normally, Bollywood is associated with bright colours. Black and white images are for the bygone eras but I opted for a stark B&W as the mood in the snapshots is dark but the styling modern."

Every year, Ratnani begins his preparations in October. Though he interacts with the stars for their shoots for mags, films and portfolios, they take time out every year for his date diary. "The shoot provides the stars a platform to experiment with their looks and styling." The 2010 calendar includes the Big B, Aishwarya Rai, Salman Khan, Hrithik Roshan, Saif Ali Khan, Priyanka Chopra, Kajol, Akshay Kumar, Kareena Kapoor, Katrina Kaif, John Abraham, Sonam Kapoor and Kangna Ranaut among others. The first-timers on his calendar include Asin, Farhan Akhtar, Genelia D'Souza and Imran Khan this year. Ratnani prefers not to comment which star looks the hottest. "They are all my friends and go out of their way to cooperate. For me they all look hot."

In the last 11 years, Dabboo has featured all the top stars several times in his calendar except for Aamir Khan who has featured only twice in the past years. Though there are many takers, he is not tempted to sell the calendar -- his work is only circulated among B-Town folk.


BIPASHA BASU
Her body looks fab and she looks sexy. I had specially hired the antique bike for the shoot. No, no it is not a bike from John Abraham's collection! The picture accentuates her curves and the end result is hot.


SHAH RUKH KHAN
I have given him a sporty look as he is so full of energy always. He is quick to shoot and puts his 100 per cent into everything. We finished the shoot in 10 minutes flat.


Ranbir with Dabboo Ratnani