The makeover continues for the Mumbai Police. After charming Twitter with their official handle, the city police force has roped in fashion photographer Pravin Talan for an eye-catching and interesting calendar.
Released recently by Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis at the Umang 2016 police gala, the images pay tribute to the Mumbai Police and their work ethic. It all started during Mr Talan’s interaction with former Anti Terrorism Squad chief Hemant Karkare.
Talan, a self-taught fashion photographer, said, “I happened to meet Mr Karkare, who suggested that I use my skills to enhance the police force’s image. We were busy developing the concept when Mr Karkare was killed in the 26/11 attacks, and the project was stalled. Then, one day, I received a joke on WhatsApp lampooning a woman constable, which annoyed me to no end. That’s when I went to the Mumbai police and offered to do the calendar.”
The calendar captures Mumbai police personnel in action in different roles, including marine patrolling, commandos in anti-terror drills, beat marshals securing the city’s popular tourist locations. Talan, who hails from Agra, added, “I cannot change the policing, but I can change perception. I have lived in Mumbai for 15 years, and Mumbai police is compassionate. They are different from the rude police personnel one encounters in northern India. Even when they are punishing you for a traffic violation, they are always courteous.”
Having worked with international clients, Talan felt there exists a stereotype for the Indian armed forces or police globally, which needed to be countered. “While travelling abroad, I see how other countries promote the image of their armed forces or police with professionalism. Mumbai, for instance, is saddled with the Slumdog Millionaire kind of stereotype. I wanted to break that,” says Talan, who shot a special series commemorating 50 years of the Border Security Force earlier this year .
He added, “Mumbai is running smoothly because there is a policeman somewhere. Good policing is about being unseen and yet running the city smoothly.”
During the two-month shooting schedule for the calendar, Talan battled a painful slipped disc while choreographing certain sequences and capturing candid moments. Talan said, “These images have been uploaded to the Mumbai Police website, from where they can be downloaded for free as wallpapers. We have also started a Facebook page where anyone can upload photographs or videos of good policing work.
