Legends of Tomorrow: Photographing 12 Remarkable Achievers and Their Mantras for Success

What makes someone a legend?

Is it success? Is it what one has already achieved, or the promise of what may still lie ahead?

 

Vandy Mehra and I had been exploring the idea of creating an iconic calendar that would not only have visual appeal, but would also inspire people. Something where the photographs would draw you in, but the people and their journeys would give you a reason to look beyond the images.

When Vandy suggested bringing together people as different as spiritual teacher Sister Shivani and Nadir Patel, the Canadian High Commissioner to India, the contrast itself sounded fascinating. We began researching and putting names together, and soon achievers like Tania Sachdev, Woman Grandmaster and Arjuna Award-winning chess player, and Jitu Rai, one of India's leading international shooters and an Arjuna Award recipient, naturally came to mind.

The names eventually came from worlds as diverse as sport, culture, business, diplomacy, spirituality, music, entertainment and publishing. Twelve very different people whose journeys had already been exciting and who seemed to hold the promise of even greater things ahead.

That was how Legends of Tomorrow began to take shape.

For me as a photographer, there was another challenge. A calendar ultimately has to work visually. We had twelve completely different personalities and needed to create 24 photographs, each with an identity of its own and strong enough to work as a calendar spread. Otherwise, why would someone want to keep it on a desk and turn the page month after month?

But as the shoots began, it was stepping into each of their worlds that became the most fascinating part for me.

These were people who were extraordinarily accomplished and completely at ease in what they did. Yet in front of a still camera, there is often a certain vulnerability. Perhaps it comes from knowing that the moment will pass, but the photograph may remain. How you look, what you reveal of yourself in that fraction of a second, can become how people who have never met you will know you.

That is also why portrait photography, for me, has always been about much more than technique or creating a striking visual. It begins with trust. You have to make someone comfortable enough to let you enter their space, understand something of who they are, and then bring out the best of them in a photograph.

Every encounter was different.

Sister Shivani was already completely at ease speaking to a vast audience through television and video, yet there was a certain shyness when it came to the still camera — she had rarely been photographed in this manner before. Jitu Rai too was not accustomed to a shoot like this, and getting him for the shoot itself was difficult as he was serving with the Indian Army at the time. Bhushan Kumar, despite the enormous world he commanded, was conscious of how he would appear in his photographs.

Their worlds were different, but the responsibility behind the camera remained the same — to earn their trust and create a photograph in which they could recognise the best of themselves.

And there was something beyond the photographs that interested us.

We often see success from the outside — the recognition, the position, the achievement. But what does success mean to the person who has actually experienced it? What do they believe brought them there? What is the mantra they carry with them?

So along with their portraits, we asked each of them to share something of their journey and their personal mantra for success — through the calendar as well as exclusive two-minute video conversations created for social media.

Twelve people. Twelve journeys. Twenty-four photographs. Twelve very different ideas of success.

Legends of Tomorrow.

READ ON TO KNOW MORE ABOUT THESE YOUNG LEGENDS

His Excellency Mr. Nadir Patel, High Commissioner for Canada to India

Nadir Patel serves as Canada’s High Commissioner for the Republic of India, with concurrent accreditation as Canada’s Ambassador Extraordinary & Plenipotentiary to Nepal & to the Kingdom of Bhutan. He is the first Canadian of Indian origin appointed as Canada’s top diplomat in India where he leads Canada’s largest embassy abroad. 

In addition to an array of awards ,& recognition, Mr. Patel has been profiled among the Top 40 most influential Canadians of Indian descent, as one of 45 Canadians Changing the World, and as one of Canada’s most influential in Canadian foreign policy.

Nadir Patel, Canadian High Commissioner to India, photographed for Legends of Tomorrow

Nadir Patel photographed at the Canadian High Commission by Pravin Talan for Legends of Tomorrow

 

Sister Shivani, Brahma Kumaris

BK Shivani is a practitioner of Rajyoga Meditation of the Brahma Kumaris. With a background in engineering, her ability to analyze deep rooted emotions like ego, stress, anger and fear, is empowering people to take personal responsibility of their thoughts and their consequences in their practical lives especially in the field of relationships. 

She has been sharing spiritual concepts on the TV programme 'Awakening With Brahma Kumaris', for the last 7 years. In 2014 she was honored with Women of the Decade Achievers Award by ASSOCHAM’S Ladies League for her Excellence in Empowering Spiritual Consciousness.

Sister Shivani photographed by Pravin Talan amid the fields of the Brahma Kumaris Om Shanti Retreat Centre for Legends of Tomorrow

Sister Shivani photographed by Pravin Talan before the meditation pyramid at the Brahma Kumaris Om Shanti Retreat Centre, a space associated with deep meditation and inner silence.

 

Jitu Rai, Ace Shooter, Indian Army

With his record-breaking performances in ISSF World Cup at Munich, Jitu Rai transcended from an unknown name to become the premier marksman in the country.

He continued scaling new peaks by winning the gold medal in both Commonwealth Games and Asian Games. He quickly rose to be ranked Number 1 in the ISSF World Pistol Rankings. Jitu Rai hails from Lucknow and is one of the best pistol shooters in India at present. The Arjuna awardee is the top ranked Indian shooter in both 10 m Air Pistol 50 m Free Pistol.

In 2016 he was awarded prestigious Khel Ratna 

itu Rai, Indian Army shooter, Asian Games and Commonwealth Games gold medallist and Rio 2016 Olympic qualifier, photographed by Pravin Talan for Legends of Tomorrow

Jitu Rai, World Championship silver medallist and India's first shooter to secure a quota place for the Rio 2016 Olympics, photographed by Pravin Talan for Legends of Tomorrow.

Papa CJ, Stand-up Comedy

Papa CJ, a world-renowned stand-up comedian, has won awards for both Asia’s and India’s Best Stand-up Comedian. Forbes Magazine called him ‘the global face of Indian stand-up’ and Toastmaster International called him one of the most influential comedians around the world. He holds an MBA degree from the University of Oxford and is a former management consultant. 

He currently also works as a motivational speaker and corporate coach and runs sessions on what management and leadership can learn from stand-up comedy. He is a keen golfer and by his own admission his enthusiasm is far greater than his talent!

Stand-up comedian Papa CJ photographed by Pravin Talan

Papa CJ photographed for Legends of Tomorrow

 

Gautam Bhimani, Commentator

Gautam Bhimani changed the way cricket is covered and perceived in India. He was duly rewarded for his unique and offbeat presentation and commentary of the game with the Ramnath Goenka Award for excellence in Journalism by the President of India, HE APJ Abdul Kalam. 

He has also made his mark at the very highest level in Football and Tennis, from the World Cup to Wimbledon. Gautam has seamlessly translated his trademark wit, presence of mind and bold fashion sense from his television presence to successfully creating, hosting and emceeing events for multiple brands both in India and overseas. T

he latest feather in the colorful Bhimani cap: being invited to GQ’s exclusive Gentlemen’s Club. From the lanes of Lucknow to posh Park Lane in London, his presence transcends both genre and Geography.

Sports commentator Gautam Bhimani photographed for Legends of Tomorrow

Gautam Bhimani photographed by Pravin Talan for Legends of Tomorrow

   

Yamini Reddy, Classical Dancer

If dance is poetry then Yamini is one of the most beautiful verses. Danseuse Yamini Reddy has been admired for bringing depth, passion and spontaneity into her work.  Born to the Kuchipudi exponent duo, Padma Bhushan awardees Dr. Raja and Radha Reddy, National award winner has got dance in her blood. 

A tasteful blend of grace, vigor, control, elevations and sensuality makes her an unquestionable inspiration to millions.  

Kuchipudi dancer Yamini Reddy photographed by Pravin Talan

Yamini Reddy photographed in performance for Legends of Tomorrow

 

Ruchi Chopra Makkad , Innovative Venture

As women entrepreneurs surprise us with their excellence in entrepreneurship, there is one particular woman- who has made a business out of giving surprises itself. Meet 31-year-old Ruchi Chopra, Delhi-based fashion designer-turned-entrepreneur & the founder of ASAP- Any Surprise Any Place – who saw a gap in the market, and was quick to gather forces to fill it up. 

She is a real dream weaver who has given new dimension to the world of creative customized gifting with her innovative gifting ideas. She started at the tender age of 23 and within a few months she managed to position herself as one of the best business entrepreneurs. 

Entrepreneur Ruchi Chopra Makkad photographed for Legends of Tomorrow

Ruchi Chopra Makkad photographed by Pravin Talan

Prakash & Vikas Johari, MaXposure Group

The Johari brothers, Vikas & Prakash Johri, started MaXposure in 2006 and scaled it to be one of the largest magazine publishers in India. Partnering with some of the biggest names in the aviation industry, MaXposure Global is a leader in in-flight publishing. 

It is a full-service media company spread across the dimensions of content, design, productions, digital solutions, advertising and translation, to take care of every aspect of a project, right from it conception to completion. The group has a robust network of 15 offices in PAN India with headquarters in New Delhi.

Prakash and Vikas Johari, MaXposure Group, photographed for Legends of Tomorrow

Prakash and Vikas Johari photographed by Pravin Talan

Tania Sachdev , Women Grandmaster Chess

Tania Sachdev is, without a doubt, the most perfect example of the species ever to have beauty with brains.  India’s present day chess scenario is full of young talents making it big internationally; and the leader of this young brigade is none other than Tania Sachdev. 

She was conferred with the prestigious Arjuna Award in 2009. She has won over 25 medals for the country including a Bronze at the Chess Olympiad. She is also ranked in the top 100 players in the world and member of Indian chess team. Besides her excellence in chess, she has worked for a number of social causes like Save the girl Child & HIV kids and also started a chess program with the underprivileged. 

Undoubtedly, she has risen as a new ray of hope to brighten India’s already enlightened sports world. 

Woman Grandmaster Tania Sachdev photographed by Pravin Talan

Tania Sachdev photographed by Pravin Talan for Legends of Tomorrow

Rahul Seth, Joint MD - Sudhir Gensets

Rahul Seth is a second generation entrepreneur of Sudhir Group founded four decades ago. He has Master’s degree in business administration From Cardiff University, UK & Executive degree from Harvard Business School, USA. He has established himself as Growth Engine for Sudhir & through his customer centric headset has brought the company amongst the most admired power generation & electrical equipment company among its peers in the industry for generation, distribution & electrification. 

His leadership style is facilitative which helps him generate employee’s confidence & empowerment creating an edge both in envisioning & execution. His leadership has led Sudhir to have coveted discerning customer base over last few years. Namely, Rashtrapati Bhawan, Delhi Metro, Supreme Court of India, Parliament House, AIIMS Hospital etc. 

Rahul Seth, Sudhir Group, photographed for Legends of Tomorrow

Rahul Seth photographed by Pravin Talan for Legends of Tomorrow

Bhushan Kumar, MD, T- Series

Bhushan Kumar has made it possible for Bollywood music to reach around 24 countries spanning over 5 continents by distributing in the overseas market. He took control of music company T-Series at the age of 19 & he went on to become the Chairman and Managing Director of this number one music company in India. 

He keeps close track of the latest innovations & incorporates all the new developments in his music company. He also promotes emerging new talent and in turn he infuses these fresh talents into the various core areas of his company. Soon after establishing the strong foundation of the company in the field of music, Bhushan started a new venture of making films and has made a series of hit films. Also, for popularizing Indian music overseas, the music tycoon was honored by the Government of India's Electronics and Software Export Promotion Council. 

Bhushan Kumar of T-Series photographed in a recording studio by Pravin Talan

Bhushan Kumar, T-Series, photographed by Pravin Talan

Faraaz Kazi , Author

Versatility could very well be Faraaz Kazi’s middle name when it comes to writing. The recipient of the YCOF National Excellence Award and the winner of the National Debut Youth Fiction Award 2013.

Truly Madly Deeply, his debut mainstream romance novel is the only Indian book to be nominated in seven categories of the Goodreads annual choice awards, apart from being the first Indian novel to win the Best Debut (Romance) during the same awards and is also the only Indian book in the Top 100 YA Global Fiction list. 

Author Faraaz Kazi with Truly Madly Deeply, photographed for Legends of Tomorrow