The Kamats: Keepers of 70 years of frame

With over 1,00,000 photos shot on the sets of the most iconic Hindi films ( Phool aur Patthar, Pyaasa, Sangam, Jis Desh Mein Ganga Behti Hai) in the last 70 years, it's no wonder that Kamat Foto Flash Studio has become the subject of an important biography.

After filming an emotional scene in Phool aur Patthar (1966), Meena Kumari took a break to chat with the film’s still photographer, Damodar Kamat. Her chin rested on the back of a chair and her eyes sparkled with glycerine. Above her, technicians were readying the lights for the next shot when one of them accidently directed a spotlight on the actress. Before the tragedy queen could react, Kamat captured her in what became one of her most iconic photographs.