'What nudity? It's a free expression of art'

Choreographer and IPL fashion show coordinator Prasad Bidappa defends his expression of art — a calender of nude men, which leaked out in the public recently

Prasad Bidappa was a hassled man recently as he prepared for the Indian Premier League 2011 show in Mumbai. Reason being: His hobby of exotic photography was costing him his reputation and ruining his sleep. Some of the pictures he had shot of nude males, which were sent to an exclusive friend list on email were mysteriously leaked out to in the public eye.

Apart from hushed talks amongst the modelling circuit who are participating in Bidappa's own IPL fashion shows, a fashion blogsite too posted this incident as a scandal. Bidappa was unhappy, worried and restless.

THE TALE: It was Sri Lankan photographer and artist late Lionel Wendt who's work inspired Bidappa for years. So, last year, Bidappa shot pictures of nude males in different sexual positions and compiled it
for a select invitee list of friends. It was done with no particular aim but Bidappa often toyed with the idea of exhibiting his photographic works at an exhibition. Early this year, he sent these pictures on email and was overwhelmed with the response from his friends. "I was happy, that my hobby was appreciated," he claimed. But then, these pictures leaked out in the open. And trouble started brewing.

ARE THEY FASHION MODELS? Lashing out against cheap rumours stating
Bidappa offering work to male models, who readily agreed to pose as nude models for this photo shoot, he says, "The pictures are of bodybuilders. They are not even fashion models. How can I force anyone to pose?" The pictures do not expose faces but only bodies, "aesthetically shot parts of the human body".

WORRIED OVER RUMOURS: Bidappa maintains that the photo shoot was plain experimentation. "It's not even a full-fledged calendar. It's my version of art. I don't feel the need to defend my expression. And honestly, I don't care about others think."

NOW WHAT: "I've not done anything wrong. People are entitled to have their opinion. These photos were not for everyone to see. Now that it's leaked out, I wonder if it will affect my reputation as a choreographer. I'm a family man, you know. Sigh! What should I do..."