Veteran photojournalist Pradeep Chandra, whose illustrious career spans over fifty-five years, unveiled a special exhibition titled Bombay Through the Eyes of Pradeep Chandra at Floor One in Juhu. The showcase features a remarkable collection of his photographs capturing iconic figures from the realms of cinema, music, art, literature, business, and politics. The exhibition was inaugurated by lyricist Javed Akhtar and Anupam Kher, with notable attendees including producer Anand Pandit, philanthropist Dr. Aneel Kashi Murarka, actors Deepak Qazir and Deepak Parashar, artists Prakash Bal Joshi, Charan Sharma and Vinod Sharma, art enthusiast Parvez Damania, curator Kisalay Vora among many others. Besides Pradeep Chandra’s family, the evening also saw a warm turnout from members of the media fraternity, who gathered in large numbers to celebrate the acclaimed lensman. The exhibition is open to the public until May 21, 2025.
“We all know how good he is at his work, but what’s truly amazing is how vast his experience is. A lot of people who look young in these pictures are no longer young (chuckles)… pictures that are almost 30 to 40 years old. And Waheeda Rahman’s picture, which is his first, must be around 60 years old, I’m guessing, because I remember when this movie was released, I wasn’t even 20… I must have been 17 or 18. So, to be relevant in a field even after so, so many years, it’s not easy. I wish him well and hope he always continues capturing moments beautifully, the way he always does,” expressed Javed Akhtar.
Added Anupam Kher, “Pradeep is an iconic photographer. Right from my struggling days till now, he hasn’t changed… neither physically nor mentally. You can tell from the pictures that he captures the soul, not just the faces or the glamour, and it’s so amazing. I’m glad I could make it, and I wish him and his lovely family good luck.”
Chandra’s journey into photography began in the most personal way, with a Sure Shot camera gifted to him by his elder brother, Shiva Chandra. It was in the corridors of Filmistan Studios, running from school to catch a glimpse of cinematic magic, that the seeds of his lifelong passion were sown. His first major photograph, that of Waheeda Rehman on the set of Baat Ek Raat Ki, went on to become a full-page feature in Filmfare magazine, “a moment that cemented my decision to dedicate my life to photography,” avers the ace lensman.
Through the years, his work has chronicled the soul of Mumbai and India itself. His camera captured the many shades of human emotion and excellence, whether in the glitter of a film set, the chaos of the Mumbai riots, or the quiet dignity of the Kamathipura children he documented.
A traveling exhibition that began at the Museo Camera Centre for Photographic Art in Gurugram, Bombay Through the Eyes of Pradeep Chandra has now made its way to Mumbai. Pradeep Chandra’s exhibition showcases his portraits of cinematic legends such as Ashok Kumar, Dilip Kumar, Dev Anand, Rajesh Khanna, Waheeda Rehman, Hema Malini, Nadira Babbar, Shabana Azmi, Javed Akhtar, Aamir Khan, Shah Rukh Khan, Salman Khan, Madhuri Dixit, Tabu, Kareena Kapoor Khan, Deepika Padukone, Aishwarya Rai Bachchan, Sushmita Sen and Hrithik Roshan. Music maestros Hari Prasad Chaurasia, Ustad Alla Rakha, Ustad Zakir Hussain, Ustad Taufiq Qureshi, Zubin Mehta, and poet-lyricist Gulzar are also celebrated through his lens, capturing moments that have resonated across generations. In the world of art and literature, the exhibition features photographs of M. F. Husain, S. H. Raza, F. N. Souza, Bose Krishnamachari, and author and columnist Shobhaa De. Icons of Indian entrepreneurship and leadership like Ratan Tata, Dhirubhai Ambani, and political stalwarts like Narendra Modi, Balasaheb Thackeray and L. K. Advani, film producer Aanand Pandit, along with media personality Pritish Nandy, are also part of this remarkable show.
Over the years, Pradeep Chandra’s work has earned the admiration of distinguished voices across fields. Lyricist and poet Javed Akhtar fondly calls him “a true picture of friendship,” while filmmaker Ashutosh Gowariker praises him for capturing “the persona of Mr. Amitabh Bachchan like no one ever has and no one ever will.” Artist Laxman Shreshtha describes him as a “towering figure in journalism photography” and “ageless.” Celebrated theatre personality Dolly Thakore highlights his deep impact, saying, “Pradeep glamourised and glorified so many accomplished people who’ve contributed to Bombay society and made Bombay what it is.” Renowned journalist Rajat Sharma echoes the sentiment, adding, “Pradeep loves challenges. He is obsessed with his camera, and that’s why each of his photographs tells a real-life story.”
Speaking about the exhibition, Pradeep Chandra shared, “This exhibition is not just an event… it is a homecoming of sorts for me. It is a reflection of my life’s work and passion. Each image tells a story, and together, they capture the essence of a journey I continue to cherish even to this day.” This exhibition also holds a special place in his heart as it pays homage to his former mentor, the late Pritish Nandy who passed away from cardiac arrest earlier this year. “Pritish was one of the first to recognise the power of visual storytelling and encouraged me to see beyond the frame. His guidance shaped not just my career, but my way of seeing the world,” he shares.
