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Inside The Danube Properties Filmfare OTT Awards 2024 Press Conference

Nov 25, 2024 · 6:23 PM Blog

The press conference for the Danube Properties Filmfare OTT Awards 2024 co-powered by Hyundai Motor India Ltd. was held today. In attendance were actress Bhumi Pednekar, director duo Raj Nidimoru and Krishna DK and Jitesh Pillaai, Editor-in-chief, Filmfare. The nominations were announced as the panellists discussed the OTT space, the most exciting series and films and more.

Bhumi Pednekar looked lovely in a black dress. She wore her hair in a sleek bun and accessorised with statement earrings. Raj opted for a black shirt paired with black pants and DK wore a grey shirt layered over a white t-shirt with grey jeans. They joined Jitesh Pillaai for a group photo after their engaging conversation.

Check out the photos here:

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Nominations for the Danube Properties Filmfare OTT Awards 2024: Full List

Nov 25, 2024 · 6:23 PM Blog

The wait is almost over! The 5th edition of the highly anticipated Filmfare OTT Awards – the Danube Properties Filmfare OTT Awards 2024, is around the corner. Ahead of the grand awards ceremony honouring the finest artistes, directors, showrunners and technical experts, we’re unveiling the nominations across 39 categories.

Heeramandi: The Diamond Bazaar bagged the highest number of nominations with a total of 16 nods. Guns & Gulaabs followed close behind with 12 nominations and Kaala Paani earned 8 nominations. Meanwhile, Kota Factory Season 3, Made in Heaven Season 2 and Mumbai Diaries Season 2 came in with seven nominations each.

See the complete list here:

BEST SERIES

GUNS AND GULAABS
HEERAMANDI: THE DIAMOND BAZAAR
KAALA PAANI
KOTA FACTORY (SEASON 3)
MADE IN HEAVEN (SEASON 2)
MUMBAI DIARIES (SEASON 2)
THE RAILWAY MEN

BEST DIRECTOR SERIES

ABHISHEK CHAUBEY (KILLER SOUP)
NIKHIL ADVANI (MUMBAI DIARIES SEASON 2)
PRATISH MEHTA (KOTA FACTORY SEASON 3)
RAJ AND DK (GUNS AND GULAABS)
SAMEER SAXENA, AMIT GOLANI (KAALA PAANI)
SANJAY LEELA BHANSALI (HEERAMANDI: THE DIAMOND BAZAAR)
SHIV RAWAIL (THE RAILWAY MEN)

BEST ACTOR, SERIES (MALE): DRAMA

ARJUN MATHUR (MADE IN HEAVEN SEASON 2)
GAGAN DEV RIAR (SCAM 2003: THE TELGI STORY)
KAY KAY MENON (BAMBAI MERI JAAN)
PRIYANSHU PAINYULI (SHEHAR LAKHOT)
RITEISH DESHMUKH (PILL)
SURYA SHARMA (UNDEKHI SEASON3)

BEST ACTOR, SERIES (FEMALE): DRAMA

HUMA QURESHI (MAHARANI SEASON 3)
KONKONA SEN SHARMA (MUMBAI DIARIES SEASON 2)
MANISHA KOIRALA (HEERAMANDI: THE DIAMOND BAZAAR)
SOBHITA DHULIPALA (MADE IN HEAVEN SEASON 2)
SONAKSHI SINHA (HEERAMANDI: THE DIAMOND BAZAAR)
SUSHMITA SEN (TAALI)

BEST ACTOR, SERIES (MALE): COMEDY

JAMEEL KHAN (GULLAK SEASON 4)
JITENDRA KUMAR (PANCHAYAT SEASON 3)
MANAV KAUL (TRIBHUVAN MISHRA CA TOPPER)
MANOJ BAJPAYEE (KILLER SOUP)
RAJKUMMAR RAO (GUNS AND GULAABS)
RAVI KISHAN (MAAMLA LEGAL HAI)

BEST ACTOR, SERIES (FEMALE): COMEDY

GEETANJALI KULKAI (GULLAK 4)
MAANVI GAGROO (HALF LOVE HALF ARRANGED)
NEENA GUPTA (PANCHAYAT SEASON 3)
RASIKA DUGAL (HUMOROUSLY YOURS SEASON 3)
TILLOTAMA SHOME (TRIBHUVANDAS MISHRA CA TOPPER)

BEST SUPPORTING ACTOR, SERIES (MALE): DRAMA

BABIL KHAN (THE RAILWAY MEN)
CHANDAN ROY SANYAL (SHEHAR LAKHOT)
GULSHAN DEVAIAH (GUNS AND GULAABS)
R MADHAVAN (THE RAILWAY MEN)
SHASHANK ARORA (MADE IN HEAVEN SEASON 2)
SUKANT GOEL (KAALA PAANI)

BEST SUPPORTING ACTOR, SERIES (FEMALE): DRAMA

KUBBRA SETH (SHEHAR LAKHOT)
LARA DUTTA (RANNEETI: BALAKOT & BEYOND)
MONA SINGH (MADE IN HEAVEN SEASON 2)
RICHA CHADHA (HEERAMANDI: THE DIAMOND BAZAAR)
SANJEEDA SHEIKH (HEERAMANDI: THE DIAMOND BAZAAR)
TILLOTAMA SHOME (KOTA FACTORY SEASON 3)

BEST SUPPORTING ACTOR, SERIES (MALE): COMEDY

DURGESH KUMAR (PANCHAYAT SEASON 3)
FAISAL MALIK (PANCHAYAT SEASON 3)
GIRISH KULKAI (SUNFLOWER SEASON 2)
RAGHUBIR YADAV (PANCHAYAT SEASON 3)
SHUBHRAJYOTI BARAT (TRIBHUVAN MISHRA CA TOPPER)
VAIBHAV RAJ GUPTA (GULLAK SEASON 4)

BEST SUPPORTING ACTOR, SERIES (FEMALE): COMEDY

AHSAAS CHANNA (HOSTEL DAZE SEASON 4)
NIDHI BISHT (MAAMLA LEGAL HAI)
SHEEBA CHADDHA (PERMANENT ROOMMATES) SEASON 3)
SHWETA BASU PRASAD (TRIBHUVAN MISHRA CA TOPPER)
SUNITA RAJWAR (GULLAK SEASON 4)
SUNITA RAJWAR (PANCHAYAT SEASON 3)

BEST ORIGINAL STORY, SERIES

BISWAPATI SARKAR (KAALA PAANI)
CHANDAN KUMAR (PANCHAYAT SEASON 3)
MOIN BEG (HEERAMANDI: THE DIAMOND BAZAAR)
PUNEET BATRA, ARUNABH KUMAR (KOTA FACTORY SEASON 3)
PUNEET KRISHNA (TRIBHUVAN MISHRA CA TOPPER)
SHREYANSH PANDEY & VIDIT TRIPATHI (GULLAK S4)

BEST ORIGINAL DIALOGUE, SERIES

CHANDAN KUMAR (PANCHAYAT SEASON 3)
DIVYA NIDHI AND VIBHU PURI (HEERMANDI: THE DIAMOND BAZAAR)
PUNEET BATRA, PRAVIN YADAV, MANISH CHANDWANI, NIKITA LALWANI (KOTA FACTORY 3)
PUNEET KRISHNA (TRIBHUVAN MISHRA CA TOPPER)
SUMIT ARORA (GUNS AND GULAABS)
VIDIT TRIPATHI (GULLAK SEASON 4)

BEST ORIGINAL SCREENPLAY, SERIES

BISWAPATI SARKAR (KAALA PAANI)
CHANDAN KUMAR (PANCHAYAT SEASON 3)
PUNEET KRISHNA, ARATI RAVAL, SUMIT PUROHIT & KARAN VYAS (TRIBHUVAN MISHRA CA TOPPER)
RAJ & DK, SUMAN KUMAR (GUNS AND GULAABS)
SANJAY LEELA BHANSALI AND VIBHU PURI (HEERAMANDI: THE DIAMOND BAZAAR)
VIDIT TRIPATHI (GULLAK SEASON 4)

BEST COMEDY (SERIES/SPECIALS)

GULLAK SEASON 4
HOSTEL DAZE SEASON 4
MAAMLA LEGAL HAI
PANCHAYAT SEASON 3
SUNFLOWER SEASON 2
TRIBHUVAN MISHRA CA TOPPER

BEST NON-FICTION ORIGINAL, SERIES/SPECIAL

CURRY AND CYANIDE: THE JOLLY JOSEPH CASE
LOVE STORIYAAN
RAINBOW RISHTA
SELVAMANI SELVARAJ: THE HUNT FOR VEERAPPAN
THE KAPIL SHARMA SHOW
WEDDING.CON

BEST FILM, WEB ORIGINAL

AMAR SINGH CHAMKILA
BHAKSHAK
JAANE JAAN
KADAK SINGH
KHO GAYE HUM KAHAN
MAST MEIN REHNE KA

BEST DIRECTOR, WEB ORIGINAL FILM

ANIRUDDHA ROY CHOWDHURY (KADAK SINGH)
ARJUN VARAIN SINGH (KHO GAYE HUM KAHAN)
IMTIAZ ALI (AMAR SINGH CHAMKILA)
PULKIT (BHAKSHAK)
SUJOY GHOSH (JAANE JAAN)
VIJAY MAURYA (MAST MEIN REHNE KA)

BEST ACTOR, WEB ORIGINAL FILM (MALE)

ADARSH GOURAV (KHO GAYE HUM KAHAN)
DILJIT DOSANJH (AMAR SINGH CHAMKILA)
JACKIE SHROFF (MAST MEIN REHNE KA)
JAIDEEP AHLAWAT (JAANE JAAN)
NAWAZUDDIN SIDDIQUI (HADDI)
PANKAJ TRIPATHI (KADAK SINGH)
SIDDHANT CHATURVEDI (KHO GAYE HUM KAHAN)

BEST ACTOR, WEB ORIGINAL FILM (FEMALE)

ANANYA PANDAY (KHO GAYE HUM KAHAN)
BHUMI PEDNEKAR (BHAKSHAK)
DIVYA DUTTA (SHARMAJEE KI BETI)
KAREENA KAPOOR KHAN (JAANE JAAN)
NEENA GUPTA (MAST MAIN REHNE KA)
PARINEETI CHOPRA (AMAR SINGH CHAMKILA)
TABU (KHUFIYA)

BEST SUPPORTING ACTOR, WEB ORIGINAL FILM (MALE)

ABHISHEK BANERJEE (APURVA)
ABHISHEK CHAUHAN (MAST MEIN REHNE KA)
ALI FAZAL (KHUFIYA)
JAIDEEP AHLAWAT (MAHARAJ)
SPARSH SHRIVASTAVA (AE WATAN MERE WATAN)
VIJAY VARMA (JAANE JAAN)

BEST SUPPORTING ACTOR, WEB ORIGINAL FILM (FEMALE)

DIMPLE KAPADIA (MURDER MUBARAK)
KARISMA KAPOOR (MURDER MUBARAK)
MONIKA PANWAR (MAST MEIN REHNE KA)
PARVATHY THIRUVOTHU (KADAK SINGH)
SHARVARI WAGH (MAHARAJ)
WAMIQA GABBI (KHUFIYA)

BEST ADAPTED SCREENPLAY, SERIES

AAYUSH GUPTA (THE RAILWAY MEN)
AMITABH SINGH, ISHAN BAJPAI (DEHATI LADKE)
KIRAN YADNYOPAVIT, KEDAR PATANKAR, KARAN VYAS (SCAM 2003 – THE TELGI STORY)
MUSTAFA NEEMUCHWALA & UDAI SINGH PAWAR (MURDER IN MAHIM)

BEST CINEMATOGRAPHER, SERIES

AMITABH SINGH (PANCHAYAT SEASON 3)
EWAN MULLIGAN, BAY CROCKER, DHANANJAY NAVAGRAH (KAALA PAANI)
MALAY PRAKASH (MUMBAI DIARIES SEASON 2)
PANKAJ KUMAR (GUNS AND GULAABS)
RUBAIS (THE RAILWAY MEN)
SUDEEP CHATTERJEE (ISC), MAHESH LIMAYE (ISC), HUENSTANG MOHPATRA, RAGUL HERIAN DHARUMAN (HEERAMANDI: THE DIAMOND BAZAAR)

BEST PRODUCTION DESIGN, SERIES

DURGAPRASAD MAHAPATRA (KARMMA CALLING)
PARICHIT A PARALKAR (GUNS AND GULAABS)
PRIYA SUHASS (MUMBAI DIARIES SEASON 2)
RAJAT PODDAR (THE RAILWAY MEN)
SALLY WHITE (MADE IN HEAVEN SEASON 2)
SUBRATA CHAKRABORTY AND AMIT ROY (HEERAMANDI: THE DIAMOND BAZAAR)

BEST EDITING, SERIES

AMIT KULKAI (PANCHAYAT SEASON 3)
DEV RAO JADHAV (KAALA PAANI)
PRASHANTH RAMACHANDRAN (ASPIRANTS S2)
SANJAY LEELA BHANSALI (HEERAMANDI: THE DIAMOND BAZAAR)
SUMEET KOTIAN (GUNS AND GULAABS)
YASHA JAIDEV RAMCHANDANI (THE RAILWAY MEN)

BEST COSTUME DESIGN, SERIES

BHAWNA SHARMA (MADE IN HEAVEN SEASON 2)
BIBI ZEEBA MIRAIE (BAMBAI MERI JAAN)
KARISHMA VYAS (PANCHAYAT SEASON 3)
NEHA R BAJAJ (GUNS AND GULAABS)
RIMPLE, HARPREET NARULA AND CHANDRAKANT SONAWANE (HEERAMANDI: THE DIAMOND BAZAAR)

BEST BACKGROUND MUSIC, SERIES

AMAN PANT (GUNS AND GULAABS)
ANURAG SAIKIA (PANCHAYAT SEASON 3)
ARABINDA NEOG (GULLAK SEASON 4)
ARPIT MEHTA, SIMRAN HORA (KOTA FACTORY 3)
BENEDICT TAYLOR, NAREN CHANDAVARKAR (HEERAMANDI: THE DIAMOND BAZAAR)
SAM SLATER (THE RAILWAY MEN)

BEST ORIGINAL SOUNDTRACK, SERIES

AMIT TRIVEDI (BIG GIRLS DON’T CRY)
ANURAG SAIKIA (PANCHAYAT SEASON 3)
IKKA, SARTHAK NAKUL (JAMNAPAAR)
RAM SAMPATH (TRIBHUVAN MISHRA: CA TOPPER)
SANJAY LEELA BHANSALI, RAJA HASAN, SHARMISTHA CHATTERJEE (HEERAMANDI: THE DIAMOND BAZAAR)
SUPRIYA PATHAK (THE RAILWAY MEN)

BEST VFX, SERIES

FILMGATE AB & HIVE STUDIOS (THE RAILWAY MEN)
VARIATE STUDIOS (MUMBAI DIARIES SEASON 2)
VINAY SINGH CHUPHAL (FUTUREWORKS) (HEERAMANDI: THE DIAMOND BAZAAR)
WHITE TURTLE STUDIOS LLP, HIVE FX STUDIO AND BLACK AND WHITE VFX STUDIOS PRIVATE LIMITED (RANNEETI: BALAKOT & BEYOND)

BEST SOUND DESIGN (SERIES)

ALLWIN REGO & SANJAY MAURYA (KAALA PAANI)
ANKITA PURKAYASTHA, SUDEEPTA SADHUKHAN (KOTA FACTORY 3)
MANOJ SIKKA (MUMBAI DIARIES SEASON 2)
SUDEEPTA SADHUKHAN & ATEESH CHATTOPADHYAY (PANCHAYAT SEASON 3)
SANAL GEORGE (HEERAMANDI: THE DIAMOND BAZAAR)
SANJAY & ALLWIN (GUNS AND GULAABS)

BEST DIALOGUE (WEB ORIGINAL FILM)

IMTIAZ ALI AND SAJID ALI (AMAR SINGH CHAMKILA)
SNEHA DESAI (MAHARAJ)
TAHIRA KASHYAP KHURRANA(SHARMAJEE KI BETI)
VIJAY MAURYA (MAST MEIN REHNE KA)
YASH SAHAI (KHO GAYE HUM KAHAN)

BEST ORIGINAL SCREENPLAY (WEB ORIGINAL FILM)

IMTIAZ ALI AND SAJID ALI (AMAR SINGH CHAMKILA)
RITESH SHAH (KADAK SINGH)
TAHIRA KASHYAP KHURRANA (SHARMAJEE KI BETI)
VIJAY MAURYA (MAST MEIN REHNE KA)
ZOYA AKHTAR, ARJUN VARAIN SINGH, REEMA KAGTI (KHO GAYE HUM KAHAN)

BEST CINEMATOGRAPHER (WEB ORIGINAL FILM)

AVIK MUKHOPADHYAY (JAANE JAAN)
AVIK MUKHOPADHYAY (KADAK SINGH)
NAGRAJ ASHOKAN RATHINAM (MAST MEIN REHNE KA)
NIKOS ANARITSAKIS (THE ARCHIES)
SYLVESTER FONSECA (AMAR SINGH CHAMKILA)
TANAY SATAM (KHO GAYE HUM KAHAN)

BEST PRODUCTION DESIGN (WEB ORIGINAL FILM)

NATASHA GAUBA (KADAK SINGH)
PRASHANT RANE, ASHOK LOKARE AND BOISHALI SINHA (HADDI)
SALLY WHITE (KHO GAYE HUM KAHAN)
SUMAN ROY MAHAPATRA (AMAR SINGH CHAMKILA)
SUZANNE CAPLAN MERWANJI (THE ARCHIES)

BEST EDITING (WEB ORIGINAL FILM)

AARTI BAJAJ (AMAR SINGH CHAMKILA)
ARGHYAKAMAL MITRA (KADAK SINGH)
NITIN BAID (KHO GAYE HUM KAHAN)
URVASHI SAXENA (JAANE JAAN)
ZUBIN SHEIKH (BHAKSHAK)

BEST BACKGROUND MUSIC (WEB ORIGINAL FILM)

A R RAHMAN (AMAR SINGH CHAMKILA)
ANURAG SAIKIA (MAST MEIN REHNE KA)
SHANKAR EHSAAN LOY AND JIM SATYA (THE ARCHIES)
SHANTANU MOITRA (KADAK SINGH)
SID SHIRODKAR (KHO GAYE HUM KAHAN)

BEST MUSIC ALBUM

A R RAHMAN (AMAR SINGH CHAMKILA)
OAFF & SAVERA, ANKUR TEWARI, SACHIN- JIGAR (KHO GAYE HUM KAHAN)
SHANKAR EHSAAN LOY AND JIM SATYA (THE ARCHIES)
SHANTANU MOITRA (KADAK SINGH)

BEST SOUND DESIGN (WEB ORIGINAL FILM)

ANIRBAN SENGUPTA (JAANE JAAN)
DHIMAN KARMAKAR (AMAR SINGH CHAMKILA)
MANAV SHROTRIYA M.P.S.E (HADDI)
PRANAV SHUKLA (KHO GAYE HUM KAHAN)
PRANAV SHUKLA (THE ARCHIES)

BEST STORY (WEB ORIGINAL FILM)

ADAMYA BHALLA AND AKSHAT AJAY SHARMA (HADDI)
PAYAL ARORA, VIJAY MAURYA (MAST MEIN REHNE KA)
TAHIRA KASHYAP KHURRANA(SHARMAJEE KI BETI)
VIRAF SARKARI, ANIRUDDHA ROY CHOWDHURY & RITESH SHAH (KADAK SINGH)
ZOYA AKHTAR, ARJUN VARAIN SINGH, REEMA KAGTI (KHO GAYE HUM KAHAN)

For more updates on the Filmfare OTT Awards 2024 please visit –
https://www.filmfare.com/awards/filmfare-ott-awards-2024/

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EXCLUSIVE: âœ I would love for Khushi Kapoor to go gothâ says Rick Roy

Nov 25, 2024 · 6:23 PM Blog

Costume designer Rick Roy has a huge personality and he’s not afraid to remind you the same. From running away from his home to pursue fashion to making his mark in Bollywood, he believes in ‘my way, or the highway’ when it comes to his career. Rick is also aware of the discipline that it takes to stick around in Bollywood. But he is not afraid to let the world know that with him comes his pink-haired personality and his reluctance to fit in. During a recent interview with Filmfare, the designer dished about his sartorial inspirations, Bollywood’s current state of fashion and more. Excerpts…

You ran away from home to pursue fashion?

My household had a set rule for the kids. I had to be a doctor, engineer or a Government official. I didn’t want to be anything of that sort. It took some time for my parents to accept the fact that I didn’t want to do anything traditional. Mom was very supportive. Dad took a little bit of time, but eventually came onboard. I was a rebel as a child. It was either my way or the highway, because I knew exactly what I wanted to do. As kids, you also don’t possess the diplomatic skills to convince your parents. So I just decided that I’m going to run away. Eventually, things were sorted.

When did it occur to you that you wanted to pursue fashion as a profession?

I always believe that artistry or people who are artistic are more or less born with it. It develops based on the conditions you put the child in. There are a lot of people and a lot of kids who are very artistic but they don’t get the right conditions. It never develops in them. In my case, my father is an artist. If I’m being honest, most Bengalis are. But my dad is a painter. My mother is also a painter. They weren’t professionals but they had an inkling about art. I was around artists while growing up and it made me understand that this is something that I enjoy doing. I fixated on designing because it interested me. Also, as someone who is gay, I can tell you gay men generally have more artistic genes than straight men. But it got complicated when it came to choosing art as a profession. But my artistic sense was inborn or came from genetics.

That’s interesting…

Yes. Another interesting thing is I was enrolled at an art school but I never ended up going. But my parents would give me money to go to the school, which I would spend on buying comics or Filmfare magazine. I have to tell you Filmfare is deeply rooted with my being and where I am today.

Now that you’ve been in this industry for some time, do you have a list of things that you keep in mind while designing costumes?

I’m generally not a disciplined person in life. I’m a hippie and a vagabond in my personal life. But I’m extremely disciplined in my work. I can be weird in my personal life but I maintain an extremely strict discipline when it comes to my work. This is something I recommend as well. I’m also very honest with my craft. I’m a straightforward person and do not want to compromise with my authenticity. Our business is very volatile and all over the place. There’s no security. To have the mental strength to hang on to this job takes everything within me at times. There’s some kind of failure every week. You may pitch for work and not get it. But hanging on is the best solution. You’d have to master that. But I wouldn’t even suggest toxic positivity. I don’t want to be delusional. But having faith in the almighty and yourself is important.

What’s your process like?

My priority is the character. I may style someone like Deepika Padukone but my priority would be to make sure her character shines. Sometimes, actors come with huge personalities. They already have a certain amount of style that the audience relates to. It becomes a bit of a challenge to break that and create a character out of that person. But I find that extremely exciting. So if you give me a very glamorous person and you tell me that there is a character which is non-glamorous, I will be the first one to jump up and create a look.

There’s a riot of colors in your styling…

It’s interesting you’re saying this. I have a big personality and I’m okay with it. I am a big pink-haired gay designer. A lot of times, my work is judged through my personality as well. What I do with a character in a film would not be the same look I’d curate for myself. I met a director recently who thought I was too glam to be the costume designer for his film. My friend showed him my work in Tumhari Sulu and all the other films that I’ve done. This is one thing I constantly battle against. My persona can intimidate people. But I try to understand the style of the movie or the character. My own personality never comes into play when it comes to character.

Since you opened up about being judged, is it difficult to find your footing in the industry for your sexual orientation?

I won’t say the difficulty comes from being gay. I am very sure there are a lot of designers who are gay. What becomes a problem is the judgment of the look. I am a flamboyant person in nature with a big personality. There are many people like me, who underplay that to fit in. I am somebody who knows he does not need to cut down on his personal sense of style to fit in.

Who were your fashion icons while you were growing up?

I used to love Aparna Sen. I found her very beautiful. I also loved Urmila Matondkar’s style.

Of course, I’m truly obsessed with Manish Malhotra’s sense of fashion. I still ask Manish if I can come and assist him. Karisma Kapoor was also insanely stylish.

So who are your fashion icons now?

Manish still tops the list. I also love Deepika (Padukone) and Kareena (Kapoor Khan) as fashionable stars. But every stylist goes to the same brands and picks up similar clothes nowadays. As a result, it’s very sad that nobody seems individualistic. The newer generation of girls are trying to copy Kylie Jenner. I would love for Khushi Kapoor to go goth maybe. I would want someone like her to be completely outrageous with fashion because she has the body and the face. It doesn’t always have to fit in a box or look conventionally pretty. Being individualistic and creating a statement is the need of the hour.

Which stars do you think have always maintained their individuality?

Everybody knows that Malaika (Arora) is my mentor and muse. But I love her because she was and till date is one of the very few people who would never follow others. Her first-ever brief to me was to not make her wear anything that she has seen before.

Does she take styling tips from you now?

No, she doesn’t. She gives me styling tips.

So which of her costumes that you made are your favourite?

The sad part about my work with Malaika is that a lot of it is undocumented. I have worked with Malaika very early in my career. Social media was not that big back then. We didn’t have the means to share many pictures. But of course, her costumes in Anarkali disco chali or Munni badnaam hui are still remembered.

Do you incorporate suggestions from actors while styling a character?

Absolutely. I’m open to all kinds of ideas. The idea can come from the actor. It can come from my tailor. I don’t care, as long as the idea makes sense. What I don’t understand is that a lot of times, the ideas don’t make sense for the character. It can’t be something random. I’m absolutely open to exchanging ideas with the actors. I worked with Akshay (Kumar) in Gabbar Is Back. A lot of ideas came from him. Also, he’ll wear anything you give him, as long as he’s comfortable. He was once made to wear uncomfortable pants. So, he asked us for branded pants. I told him, ‘Sir, you’re playing a poor professor who can’t afford branded pants.’ He started laughing…

We often talk about actresses when it comes to fashion. Who are the actors you loved styling?

I love Akshay. I think Akshay is one of the few male actors who has had an individual style. He experiments a lot. He has also worn clothes that were outrageous for the times. He created a bit of a stir and a style statement.

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