Going undercover
Brunch|September 10, 2022
A former magazine editor gets nostalgic & reveals anecdotes from cover shoots with Bollywood's biggest stars
Dinesh Raheja
Going undercover

I have never met Ramakrishnan P, the editor of a popular Hong Kong-based magazine, but corresponding with him on social media has proved gratifying. Recently, he said, "I have preserved almost every edition of Movie magazine that you edited in the 1990s because you pioneered so many positive changes in film journalism. And a Movie cover was prime real estate; I cherish some stunning covers as collectors' items."

That set me reminiscing about the years between 1988 to 1999 when I edited Movie magazine. Creating a stand-out cover every month was a mammoth task. They say it takes a village to raise a child (sometimes I am made aware of that with my grandchildren), and it was practically the same with a magazine cover.

Here are the stories of the creation of eight of the best covers and how photographers Gautam Rajadhyaksha, Jagdish Mali and Rakesh Shreshta captured the images with flair, designers Anna Singh, Manish Malhotra and Neeta Lulla styled the stars to look their best, and make-up wizards Mickey Contractor and Bharat-Dorris chiselled their visages. Not to forget, the young team of reporters and art directors who helped conceive the covers in my cabin during brainstorming sessions that were noisier than a stormy Arabian Sea.

Aamir-Sridevi

The boy next door and the diva, shoulder to shoulder

Excited to be appointed the editor of Movie in October 1988, I wanted to begin with a splash. So, I approached the overnight sensation, Aamir Khan, and the reigning diva Sridevi to pose jointly... and to my surprise, they agreed!

هذه القصة مأخوذة من طبعة September 10, 2022 من Brunch.

ابدأ النسخة التجريبية المجانية من Magzter GOLD لمدة 7 أيام للوصول إلى آلاف القصص المتميزة المنسقة وأكثر من 9,000 مجلة وصحيفة.

هذه القصة مأخوذة من طبعة September 10, 2022 من Brunch.

ابدأ النسخة التجريبية المجانية من Magzter GOLD لمدة 7 أيام للوصول إلى آلاف القصص المتميزة المنسقة وأكثر من 9,000 مجلة وصحيفة.

المزيد من القصص من BRUNCH مشاهدة الكل
Rohit Chawla
Brunch

Rohit Chawla

Photographer, artist, @RohitChawlaPhotography_

time-read
1 min  |
November 02, 2024
Congratulations, it's a goal
Brunch

Congratulations, it's a goal

Lakeside vows, pastel palettes, bayous, backyards and boats. These celeb weddings are what modern fairytales are made of

time-read
2 mins  |
November 02, 2024
Rail against the machine
Brunch

Rail against the machine

Valay Shende's Virar Fast depicts more than Mumbai's constant state of rush. Despite the struggle, there's empathy too

time-read
2 mins  |
November 02, 2024
No need for soirée excuses
Brunch

No need for soirée excuses

Not all party guests are created equal. Make sure you have an escape plan, in case you're stuck with someone dull

time-read
2 mins  |
November 02, 2024
100 years, one epic dinner
Brunch

100 years, one epic dinner

How did the Hindustan Times celebrate its centenary in Delhi? With a lavish, ambitious dinner served by a top chef, in a magical garden. It can never be done again

time-read
3 mins  |
November 02, 2024
Sauce and sorcery
Brunch

Sauce and sorcery

Video projections on your plate, holograms dancing at the table, customised tunes with every course. Tech's coming to dinner. Will you reorder or reboot?

time-read
5 mins  |
November 02, 2024
Who hates the haters now?
Brunch

Who hates the haters now?

Online trolls used to terrify influencers. Now, hate is hardly a surprise. It's a sign of engagement, real viewers; a chance to clap back and wield power. Take a look

time-read
3 mins  |
November 02, 2024
Are you earring this?
Brunch

Are you earring this?

Don't put the heavy jewellery back in storage after the festivities. Stylists offer tips on how to wear them all year and still look chic

time-read
2 mins  |
November 02, 2024
Clash of clans: Festive edit
Brunch

Clash of clans: Festive edit

Set boundaries, ask your own questions, prep for the prying moments. Here's how to survive the family gathering without going nuts

time-read
2 mins  |
November 02, 2024
Krutika
Brunch

Krutika

Content creator, @TheMermaidScales

time-read
1 min  |
October 26, 2024