Reel Life, Real Moments: Photographer Ketaki Sheth Explores the Intimacy and Intensity of Being on Set

Flashback is an exhibition of the renowned Mumbai-based photographer Ketaki Sheth’s photographs, drawn from her journeys in the film world of Bombay and Madras (now Mumbai and Chennai respectively) between 1985 and 1993. The 55 images and two texts provide a brief, seductive glimpse into both the intimacy and the intensity of being on set, and of being a star. The images were collected into a book published in March 2026 by Photoink. The book can also be purchased at Kitab Khana in Mumbai.

“I had access to the sets of Ram Lakhan (1989) and Mr India (1987) because of the film critic Mr. Khalid Mohamed, who invited me to accompany him. It was my first experience on sets and felt both exciting and new. Khalid and I would remain on the sets for as long as he needed to finish his interviews.”

“In those days, there were no phones and stars would arrive according to their own timetables. There was a lot of waiting, which became a big advantage for me because I had the time (and access) to linger.”

“I was never really in any awe of them. I was more in awe of the dynamics around me — the technicians, the cast, the autograph hunters, the tea servers — and how they all came together with the stars to make a movie happen. I wanted to catch the atmosphere and reveal the insides of a movie, as it was being made on a set. It helped that Khalid was their trusted friend. I could linger in the room while Khalid was interviewing them. I was a fly on the wall soaking it all in. The photographer in me was only looking for good pictures, whether with a star or not.”

“I look at an interior and something intuitive tells me what will work for the portrait. I had time to chat with the actors and catch them quite relaxed. I would make the photograph when I knew everything was right — the interior, the subject, the light, the moment.”

“You can never plan a picture like this. I just knew — under that umbrella and by the eggs and from her walking towards me — that I would get the image I wanted. That of a star in the making. I was lucky.”