He denied attempting to depict the exact scene of that incident — referred to as "Nirbhaya," which is a Hindi word for "fearless" and a pseudonym given to the victim — although the similarities are difficult not to notice.

"But being a part of society and being a photographer, that topic moves me from inside," he continued. "I stay in a society where my mother, my girlfriend, my sister are out there and something like this can happen to them also."

When asked why he chose to depict this scene through a fashion photo shoot, Shetye responded that it is the only way he knew how.

"Being a photographer, the only medium I can communicate in is photos. For me, its as simple as that. It's art. Making movies, writing articles, making a poem — these are all ways of addressing the topic. Being a fashion photographer, this is what I can do best."