Take us back to the very beginning — how did photography first find its way into your life, and what made you want to keep going?
My journey with photography started with a phone, a bicycle, and the open streets of my city. Back then it was just something I loved doing, chasing sunrises and quiet moments around the city. I didn’t know that small hobby would shape the life I wanted. By my final semester of 12th grade, I realized I couldn’t see myself sitting in a cabin, doing the same routine every day. I wanted to travel, to meet people, to see the world with my own eyes, not just through a screen. That’s when photography became my reason to travel. Through my camera, I could experience the lives of people, understand their emotions, listen to their stories, and see how differently people live in different parts of the world. Every place has a character, every person has a story worth listening to. I wanted to discover those stories and preserve them through my photographs. For me, photography isn’t just my profession, it’s my way of understanding life. It’s how I chase experiences, how I learn from strangers, and how I step outside the ordinary. I don’t know where this path will take me, but that’s the part I love. Every day feels like there’s something new to learn, someone new to meet, some story waiting to be discovered. Photography is my ticket to that world.
Can you remember the first photograph you took that made you stop and think, 'this is what I want to do'? Tell us about that moment.
One evening, I saw an old man polishing shoes near an electric pole. I clicked his photo and showed it to him. At first, he looked a little upset, but when he saw the picture, he smiled. He told me no one had taken his picture in years and shared stories from his life. That moment changed what photography means to me—it’s not just about capturing pretty scenes, it’s about listening, noticing people, and caring for their small moments. I’m still exploring and learning. But what keeps me going is the hope that, every day, somewhere, there’s a story waiting to be heard. I want to be there to listen, and to capture those moments with care. That old man didn’t just give me a smile, he gave me a reason to see people differently. And that’s what I carry with me.
Who or what shaped the way you see the world through your lens? Share a person, place, or experience that quietly trained your eye.
The people and places I’ve encountered shaped the way I see photography. My parents have always supported me, while my Chacha ji, who is a DOP, helped me find direction in photography and filmmaking. My teachers in college taught me to look beyond a beautiful frame and understand the story behind it. I still remember photographing an old shoe shiner in a local market. When I showed him his picture, he smiled and began sharing stories about his life. That moment stayed with me because it showed me how a photograph can bring two strangers closer. Traveling taught me just as much, from the streets of my hometown to the ghats of Varanasi, Sikkim, and Shaniwar Wada in Pune, each place introduced me to different people, emotions, and ways of living. I’m still learning, but every person I meet and every place I visit, gives me another reason to keep exploring and telling stories through photography. It’s not just about pictures, it’s about noticing lives, and quietly saying, I see you.
You're drawn to the eyes of people and the emotions they carry. When you're out on the street, how do you know a face is the one you have to photograph?
For me, it’s the expressions that catch me naturally. Sometimes it’s a light in someone’s eyes, sometimes it’s a quiet smile, sometimes it’s a face that looks tired, but still carrying something quietly. I don’t always know what pulls me in. I just feel there’s a story there worth noticing. And that’s what I try to capture.
Which of your photographs are you most proud of, and what was happening in that moment?
I took this photograph at Manikarnika Ghat in Varanasi, where people experience grief, love and loss in different ways. So many emotions surround the burning pyres, some felt deeply, but never expressed. The man walking through the frame reminds me of myself, traveling to understand people, their stories, and the emotions that make us human.
What did you feel or notice in the split second before you pressed the shutter on this next photograph?
I was on a rooftop in Sikkim, just watching the stars and the soft lights below. I didn’t even notice the meteor when I clicked. Later, seeing that little streak of light felt like a gift, like the night left me with something I wasn’t even looking for. It reminded me to just be there, to keep looking up, because sometimes life shows you tiny surprises when you’re just sitting and noticing.
What was the simple, everyday story you saw here that others might have walked past?
I noticed a woman sitting in her little room, surrounded by utensils, clothes, and the things she uses every day. Nothing special was happening, but I found myself wondering about her life beyond that moment. Sometimes, we walk past people without thinking about their stories. I wanted to pause and notice hers.
Beyond the rescues, what did you learn about the rescuer as a person — his ordinary days, his worries, the human side of the work?
What I found interesting about him is the way he connects with animals, even outside his rescue work. At home, he spends time caring for and looking after different animals, treating them with a kind of warmth that feels natural to him. There’s something lovely about seeing this side of him, funny, loving, and protective, not just towards his family but towards the animals around him.
What surprised you most about how he lives alongside the creatures and the world he protects?
What stayed with me was how gently he treated those animals. Like they were his own babies. He told me he wants them to live freely, just like they’re supposed to. Seeing him with them, I felt he wasn’t trying to be brave or special. He was just being kind, and it felt real, like someone quietly doing what they feel inside.
When someone stands in front of your photographs, what is the one feeling you hope stays with them long after they look away?
I hope they walk away feeling a little more connected to the people and the world around them. We often pass strangers on the street without wondering about their lives or what they might be going through. Through my photographs, I want people to pause for a moment, feel something, and look at ordinary lives a little differently. If a photograph makes someone curious about another person’s story or reminds them to be a little kinder, I feel I’ve done something meaningful. For me, it’s not just about seeing a photograph, but feeling the life behind it.
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