Kabir Khan reveals the story behind his most memorable shot from the UK

Mumbai, July 1, 2026

Filmmaker Kabir Khan has given a glimpse into his life beyond cinema. He shared the story behind one of his favourite photographs from a recent trip to the UK.

In his latest post on Instagram, the director recalled how he waited 45 minutes for a seagull to land in the perfect spot against the dramatic backdrop of Whitby’s lighthouse and stormy skies. Khan also reflected on the patience, curiosity, and joy that photography brings him. The director also revealed how spending days wandering through the streets of Yorkshire, Bath, and London with a camera in hand reminded him that life’s most compelling stories are often found in its simplest moments.

Sharing a series of photos, the ‘Bajrangi Bhaijaan’ filmmaker wrote, “The dark rain clouds, the shining white railing and the lighthouse in Whitby, Yorkshire were in place. I had my dramatic backdrop, but I needed my main subject – a seagull. I waited 45 minutes for a seagull to land on the perfect spot and then take off at the angle that I needed for a perfect shot. It happened in the moment and I got my favourite shot of this trip to UK.”

“These are the moments that remind me why I fell in love with photography. I spent the next few days wandering through fishing towns and quiet streets with no agenda beyond observing life as it unfolded. There is something deeply rewarding about slowing down enough to simply walk through a town with a camera in hand without the rush of a film set or a schedule to keep.”

“Street photography, for me, has become a way of staying curious, of connecting with the rhythm of everyday life, and of reminding myself that the most compelling stories are often found in the simplest of moments. And it’s also a fabulous exercise. I walked an average of 15 kms everyday in search of these images that I’m sharing with you from Yorkshire, Bath and London,” added Kabir.

Professionally, Kabir Khan is best known for directing films such as “Ek Tha Tiger,” “Bajrangi Bhaijaan,” “New York,” “Tubelight,” “83,” and “Chandu Champion.” (Agency)