My Friend Ritu - An incredible journey of an
acid attack survivor: This ongoing documentation follows the remarkable journey
of my dear friend Ritu Saini, an acid attack survivor whose life stands as a
testament to resilience and hope. For every human being, the face is an
intimate symbol of identity. When that is taken away, the world seems to strip
you of who you are. But Ritu not only reclaimed her identity, she transformed
it into a beacon of strength for millions who look up to her. I first met Ritu
in 2015. From the very beginning, our bond felt as though we had known each
other for a lifetime we spoke, laughed, and confided as though we were
childhood friends. By 2021, I began documenting her story through photographs,
not merely as an observer but as a friend who had been allowed into her most
private spaces: her home, her family, her work, and her marriage to the love of
her life.