Occupation: Raj and Pablo
Location: Pasha Restaurant, 1 Gloucester Road. London.
Date: December 2009
This feature of Celebrity Style is to highlight ‘Moguls’ in their field of work.
I wanted to highlight these two BBC Asian Network Radio DJ’s – Love Bollywood.
Living in the pretty Gloucestershire countryside I didn’t have much interaction with Asian community but each Saturday my sister, mother and I would make our journey into the town Gloucester town. Not for our weekly shopping, or get our schoolbooks, but behold to get the latest Bollywood release. Bollywood movies were the cultural connection at that time. I remember heartthrob, Salman Khan in his first movie ‘Mein Pyaar Kiya’; my first crush on a Bollywood actor and I knew the dialogues to the movie word for word.
Sholay, Umrao Jaan, Devas are amongst the most famous Bollywood movies ever made and sonomous with Indian cinema.
Do you know that Bollywood is the biggest film industry in the world and one that produces over 500 films a year, greater than Hollywood. Bollywood is known for its vibrancy, we their colour, flamboyant film sets, artists and gossip. I remember I dumped a blind date because he said he didn’t like Bollywood.
Raj and Pablo are the BBC Asian Network Radio DJ’s. Every weekend mornings they present Love Bollywood discussing the latest Bollywood movies, interviews with actors and actresses and covering events and glamour. Each time a movie is released they ask their audience to review and share their thoughts on the movie. I recently reviewed my first Bollywood movie for Love Bollywood. I have such great memories of the smiling dancing Govinda that when I was asked to review Bollywood movie ‘Life Partner’, I simply could not refuse.
Both Raj and Pablo are a combination of creativity and their secret is that they loved Bollywood before it became popular. Pablo comes from a performing arts background and Raj’s previous experience with BBC Scotland and natural progression to London. Raj and Pablo’s working relationship has lasted 15 years, meeting first on stage only to become a strong partnership.
Raj and Pablo talents extend from broadcasting to DJ’s. Raj and Pablo’s Bollywood Nights at The Cobden Club have been running over 10 years. Cobden Nights celebrate the best of Bollywood, a place where you can have a fun night out and really let your hair down.
Thank you Raj and Pablo for sharing your love of Bollywood, may you continue to entertain us and help others through your creativity. xx
Maharajas of Bollywood
In order to keep the Bollywood theme I wanted to create a shoot that would show off both their individual personalities. This photo shoot is ‘Maharaja’ inspired look. ‘Maharaja’ in Sanskrit means “great king”, and these great kings Raj and Pablo have also contributed to the Bollywood Mania.
The traditional era in this photo shoot was contrasted by applying modern technology, for this we used an IPod and Blackberry phone. This photo shoot took place in Pasha, a beautiful Moroccan restaurant, which really set the scene for a rich and grand environment.
A big thanks you to Pasha management and staff who were so accommodating and a special mention to my buddy Nadeem who was the best assistant ever.
Pablo
Pablo fell into his Maharaja look with total ease; one could easily believe that he actually belonged to that era. Pablo a complete natural, credit must go to his training at stage school where he learnt his acting and singing skills.
His style is sleek, contemporary with a touch of classic. The deep blue sherwani suits Pablo’s skin tone. The detailing on this blue sherwani is a floral pattern with a delicate silver thread work as this compliments Pablo’s scale and mellow and calm personality.
Outfit: RSC Dark blue sherwani, sliver thread work and stones,
Shoe: Dark Royal blue khusay with silver thread work.
Accessories: Rings and broach – Peter Singh ersonal collection’, pearl necklace – RCS, white scarf and blue and silver turban.
Hair and Make-up: black eyeliner – Kaajal to enhance the eyes
Raj
Raj is a true Bollywood Brave heart and I truly loved his enthusiastic energy. Raj’s personality really shines through when he is being photographed and his eccentric posses made me laugh throughout the shoot.
Black compliments Raj’s skin tone, Raj is taller and much broader in scale and height therefore the black sherwani detailing of heavier and larger diamonds, pearls, thread work and mirror work flatters his body structure.
Outfit: Black, stone and pearl with beading
Shoe: Black khusay with silver thread work
Accessories: Antique red stone and diamante rings, White pear scarf, black and silver pearls turban
Hair and Make-up: Kaajal to enhance those eyes and add some drama.
Raj and Pablo was also contributed to the Charity i started for disadvantage young people and enhancing the lives of children who want to enter the field of Broadcasting.
