MUMBAI: In a collaboration where artistic vision meets cutting-edge imaging technology, Epson has partnered with renowned photographer and film producer Atul Kasbekar as the official print partner for HONEST: Portraits of Character, a landmark photography exhibition currently being showcased at Jio World Plaza in Mumbai’s Bandra Kurla Complex.
Running from June 5 to July 5, the exhibition blends photography, cinema, and storytelling through a striking collection of 56 large-format black-and-white portraits celebrating some of India’s most accomplished character actors. Spread across Levels 1 and 2 of Jio World Plaza, the exhibition pays tribute to performers whose nuanced work has helped shape the landscape of Indian cinema.
The featured lineup includes celebrated names such as Naseeruddin Shah, Anupam Kher, Pankaj Tripathi, Boman Irani, Arshad Warsi, Kay Kay Menon, Ratna Pathak Shah, and Rasika Dugal. Stripped of retouching and visual embellishment, the portraits embrace authenticity, allowing expression, personality, and lived experience to take center stage over glamour or celebrity image-making.
To ensure every nuance of light, texture, and tonal contrast remained intact, Epson’s professional printing solutions were used to produce the exhibition’s works. The portraits were created using Epson SureColor large-format printers, paired with UltraChrome PRO12 archival-grade pigment inks and Epson professional media. The combination delivers exceptional detail, tonal depth, and long-term durability while preserving the integrity of Kasbekar’s original photographs.
Reflecting on the collaboration, Atul Kasbekar emphasized that the quality of the final print was central to the exhibition’s impact.
“HONEST is about authenticity in its purest form. These actors bring an extraordinary honesty to the camera, and it was critical that every detail translated faithfully into print. The prints are the exhibition,” said Kasbekar. “Epson photo printers’ ability to reproduce subtle tonal gradations, especially in black and white, made them the ideal partner for this project.”
For Epson, the partnership underscores the enduring role of print in an increasingly digital visual culture. The company views the printed photograph not merely as an output but as the final stage of creative expression—particularly in gallery environments where audiences engage with images at a physical and emotional level.
“Photography does not end when a picture is made. The final print is where the photographer’s vision truly comes to life and is shared with the world,” said Tushad Talati, Director – Brand and Communication at Epson India. “At Epson, we have spent decades advancing the art and science of photographic printing, helping photographers transform images into enduring works of expression. Through this collaboration, we are enabling audiences to experience Atul Kasbekar’s work with the depth, detail and authenticity he intended.”
Beyond the photography itself, the exhibition reflects Jio World Plaza’s broader ambition to evolve into a destination for culture and creativity alongside luxury retail. Open to the public free of charge, the showcase offers visitors a rare opportunity to encounter a collection dedicated not to headline stars, but to the actors whose performances have often provided the emotional backbone of Indian cinema.
As the boundaries between technology and art continue to blur, HONEST: Portraits of Character serves as a reminder that while a camera captures a fleeting instant, it is the printed image that often gives that moment permanence. For visitors, the exhibition presents a fresh perspective on some of India’s most respected performers—revealing the depth of character behind the faces audiences have come to know on screen.