One of Verve's most coveted photographers, Atul Kasbekar is the first Indian to win the International FAB award.

The Mumbai-based lensman's inspiration for the calendar came during one of his contemplative walks along a beach and his concept for the second Kingfisher calendar had no difficulty in getting the nod from United Brewery chief, Dr. Vijay Mallya. “With a blend of today's and tomorrow's stars in it,” says Atul, “the calendar is a platform for what Indian fashion has to offer.”

The photographer has always liked working with people who have 'uncoventional faces'. “It is very easy for a competent photographer to make good looking people look great,” he says.

Atul rues the fact that most campaigns in India are conceptualised in a hurry and shot with great speed without due thought or planning. “We can do a lot more if we have enough time to work things out,” he says. Something the Kingfisher project gave him so that he was able to lovingly plan every detail over three months to create a work of photographic art…And, he is already working on the next one for 2005.