AP photographer Rajanish Kakade was remembered for quiet grace and the intimate, truthful quality of his images, which captured Mumbai’s contrasts—from wealth and poverty to monsoons and daily life on the local trains.

Colleagues described him as soft-spoken and deeply committed, earning the trust of those in his frames and producing photographs marked by intimacy and trust.

The club announced his death via X (formerly Twitter), noting the cause was not disclosed.

Kakade, a veteran AP photographer based in Mumbai, died at age 55 after an illness at his home.

He served as vice chairman of the Mumbai Press Club and was mourned by the club upon his passing.

Prior to AP, Kakade worked with the Sakal Group media and Hindustan Times, building a foundation before joining AP in 2008.

Since joining AP in 2008, Kakade documented India’s political life, culture, and the everyday hustle of Mumbai, including elections, the 2008 Mumbai attacks, sports, and the COVID-19 pandemic.

A third-generation photographer, Kakade followed family footsteps and spent 18 years with AP after stints at the Sakal Group and Hindustan Times.

He came from a lineage of photojournalists, building a respected career across major Indian outlets.

The Mumbai Press Club and colleagues praised his integrity, sensitivity, mentorship, and encouragement of young photographers to pursue truth with courage and compassion.

His work portrayed Mumbai’s vast scale and quiet intimacy, reflecting the rhythm of a rapidly evolving city.