From newspaper boy to celebrity photographer, Munna Thaakur's journey in Mumbai

Photographer Munna Thaakur has worked with the likes of actors Salman Khan Taapsee Pannu and Suniel Shetty among others over the years Speaking to middaycom Thaakur shared how he landed his first shoot with Arjun Rampal when he was still a newspaper boy and how Salman Khan Suniel Shetty and the late Irrfan Khan help boost his career in this industry He also spoke about the time he moved in with Sonu Sood when he had no place to live However his humble beginnings and passion for the craft are what make his story one of the most inspirational stories to come out of Mumbaithe city of dreamsExcerpts from the interviewHow did you start your journey as a photographer and what was your first assignmentI come from a city called Akola in Maharashtra My father worked in a cotton factory and earned enough to put food on the table I did all odd jobs I could get at a young age I could complete my studies only till 7th grade so that I could help my father financially In 1991 four of my friends and I decided to move out in search of our aspirations which brought me to Mumbai ndash the city that fulfills everyonersquos dreamMumbai didnrsquot open arms for me that easily this city has tested me hard Without much education I could only find small jobs so I worked as a cardboard puller in a welding shop worked as diamond polisher and cutter which I did for almost a yearIn 1993 in Lokhandwala I started working as a paperboy Back then in Lokhandwala there was a photo studio where celebrities used to come for their portfolio shoots and I used to deliver newspaper there and so I requested them to let me work there First they denied and then in 1998 finally I started interning with them In the mornings I used to be a paperboy delivering MidDay newspaper and evenings I used to parttime as a photographer and there I met my first mentor Bilal a young boy from Kashmir who taught me first how to even load a cameral roll in the camera those days I used to assist him in wedding photography he used to let me shoot the venue food and decorations at the wedding Then I did Bilalrsquos wedding photography and thatrsquos how all this beganMy first celebrity photoshoot was with Arjun Rampal I used to deliver newspaper at Arjun Rampalrsquos house as well I requested his maid to help me talk to him I somehow got to speak to Arjun Rampal and he asked me to show my previous work I told him I donrsquot have any professional work to show and requested him to give me an opportunity He was very kind and told me to come to Film City where he was shooting then I went there and that was the first professional project of my life as a photographerWhere in the city did you learn photography and from whomThough my first mentor was Bilal at the photo studio I learned professional photography from Subi Samuel one of Indias leading fashion and commercial photographer I worked as his 3rd assistant and because I had my basis strong which I had learnt from Bilal I could apply it all during my internship with Subi Samuel and he recognised my efforts and started involving me in his projectsYou have lived with Sonu Sood in your early days How was it living with him a person whom the country looks up to todayAfter I shifted to Lokhandwala Andheri Mumbai in 1997 I had no place to live Those days Sonu Sood was also new and looking to establish himself in the industry I had become friends with him and did many shoots for him as my practicing model When Sonu shifted to Oshiwara in an independent house with his three other friends I requested him to let me stay in his house as I had no place to live and as humble kind and helping he is he let me live in his houseIt was comfortable living with him as he has no air attitude or ego about his profession As an actor we had a very basic lifestyle We used to collect our monthly earnings give our shares of rent food We used to even save money to go for movies It was fun living with him We share the same bond till date The world knows Sonu Sood as a helping Messiah only after the pandemic but I witnessed his kindness since I have known him He was forever helping and kind to many people like me that his him as a personYou have worked with Suniel Shetty a lot What is he like to work withMy first encounter with Suniel Shetty was when he was shooting for some film those days at the back road stretch of Lokhandwala Andheri Mumbai I was a mere paperboy delivering newspapers and I went to see Annarsquos shoot as his fan I wanted to get his autograph which I couldnrsquot get that dayAalim Hakim Bollywood hairstylist and Naveen Shetty Suniel Shettyrsquos stylist introduced me to Anna Back then Anna used to shoot with other known photographers My fate changed as one day I was called to shoot at H2O and that was the beginning of my professional relationship with Suniel ShettyHe is my fitness and lifestyle inspiration I look up to him for the human being he is very helping supportive and kind He has got me many projects that has added to my career as a photographer and he treats me as a younger brother which is more than a dream for me He is that one person who I can call up and talk about my life without any hesitation He has given me guidance when every have asked for He is one of those actors that me and my camera loves to work with His true humbleness has been captured not only in my camera but my heart tooSalman Khan is known to help people with their careers How is your equation with himWhen I first met Salman Khan I had already done a few photo shoots with known celebrities by then Aalim Hakim was the one who introduced me to Nadeem Salman Khanrsquos friend and Nadeem got me to meet Salman Khan on one of his shoots Nothing happened immediately and once late night I got a call from Nadeem saying Bhai has called you with camera to shoot That was my first ever shoot with The Salman Khan Bhai We shot early morning around 230 ndash 3am He appreciated my work and after that I started shooting frequently with Salman KhanSalman Khan has promoted me more than I could expect he has appreciated my work in front of many which got me further work I did get many ads and film shoot through his referenceSalman Khan had tremendous aura working with him is like mix of all feelings A bit of fan bit of brother bit of love bit of compassion Itrsquos a mixed feeling to have him around and work with himTaapsee Pannus BTS videos of shoots always look fun How was your experience shooting with herI had seen and met Taapsee first on the set of lsquoChashme Baddoorrsquo in 2013 for a look test We hardly had any interaction then Later in 2015 Tapsee was shooting for Cineblitz thatrsquos where we bonded and after which I did many photo shoots with her She is a very good friend I have a great rapport with her She is a brilliant artist who is always open for suggestions If I tell her certain expressions will add to her look she would do itI saw pictures of Irrfan Khan on your Instagram When he passed away we realised the global impact he had What memories you have with himIt chokes me to even think about Irrfan Khan what a brilliant artist we lost I was in shock and till date I cannot come to terms with the fact that he is not with us I met him on the sets of lsquoHazaaron Khwaishein Aisirsquo in 2003 where I was shooting with Chitrangada and he used to tell me in his unique voice tone ldquoArre Munna Miya kabhi humara bhi photo shoot kar lordquoThen I had a studio in Oshiwara where I first shot with Irrfan Khan We had a soul connect He has recommended me more than anyone would have every time any newcomer actorartist would meet Irrfan Khan he would recommend them to get the portfolios done from me Each and every memory with Irrfan Khan is beautiful for me I have done 2 3 film projects with him My last shoot with him was for The Man MagazineYour advice to people who would want to be a part of the industry as a photographerI have come up the hard way in life Life had been equally harsh and kind with me Today everyone thinks they have become photographers Mobile photography is not photography There is much more to it Lights and camera angles lenses and techniques can make a person look many things Capturing the soul is the art of photography which should be learnt I am still a student I keep updating my knowledge with time My advice is just be pure and passionate in whatever you do learn and keep learning because itrsquos a neverending school called lifeRecently videos of paparazzi at NMACC had gone viral of how they were calling out names of celebs What is your take on the paparazzi culture and also recent privacy issues of celebsTimes have changed a lot we all know We had press photographers earlier who would respectfully ask for permission and only if any celebrity is comfortable they would click them Disrespecting anyone be it a celebrity or not is incorrect I donrsquot have much opinions about the paparazzi and the viral videos I would not encourage such things personally I hope lessons will be learnt with time