Celebrity photographer Dabboo Ratnani has been clicking some of Bollywood’s biggest stars for years, but his partnership with Shah Rukh Khan is something else. The man behind the annual Ratnani calendar recently sat down with filmmaker-actress Pooja Bhatt on her podcast and dropped some major behind-the-scenes truths about shooting the King Khan. And yaar, it’s all about comfort — and a little bit of chaos.
The Secret Is Mannat – 90 Percent of the Time
When Pooja told Ratnani, “You’ve really made Shah Rukh look very sexy. There’s something that he sheds with you,” the photographer didn’t hold back. He revealed that most of their photoshoots never even left SRK’s home. “With Shah Rukh, I’ve done 90% of my shoots in his house,” Ratnani said, referring to the superstar’s iconic sea-facing bungalow, Mannat. So next time you see a stunning shot of SRK looking all intense or playful, chances are he’s just steps away from his living room. The photographer explained that this comfort zone helps the actor relax and be himself — something that comes through in every frame.
The Dog That Made SRK Forget the Camera
But Mannat isn’t the only location. Ratnani recalled one iconic shoot that happened at his own studio in Oshiwara. SRK was busy playing with Ratnani’s pet dog, Flash, and instead of forcing him to pose, the photographer just clicked away. “When he came to my studio in Oshiwara, he was playing with Flash, with my doggy. And I took pictures of that. So he started enjoying that moment rather than posing for a picture,” he said. That candid approach, according to Ratnani, has been the key throughout SRK’s various phases — from his romantic hero days to his more rugged looks. “During his phases of whatever look he was in, I used to pull out a concept as per that,” he added.
A Tyre Shop Gave Shah Rukh His Most Unique Set
Sometimes inspiration strikes in the most random places. Ratnani revealed that one of SRK’s most memorable photoshoots was born from a flat tyre. “I was literally getting my tyre change done at the tyre shop. And there was a guy who was chucking these used tyres into a tempo. I said, wow, man, what a backdrop,” he recounted. Without wasting time, he contacted the shop, got 200 used tyres delivered to Mehboob Studio, and built an entire set around them. The result? A rugged, edgy look for SRK that fans still talk about. The photographer’s ability to turn everyday moments into art has made his calendar one of Bollywood’s most awaited annual releases, featuring stars like Amitabh Bachchan, Bipasha Basu, and Aishwarya Rai Bachchan. But for Ratnani, Shah Rukh remains a favourite subject — because the superstar never tires of trying something new.
So next time you see SRK looking his absolute best in a photoshoot, remember: it’s probably at his place, with a dog around, or inspired by a trip to the tyre shop. Now that’s what we call a perfect frame!