In february, Manish Malhotra completes two decades in costume design. Around 1,000 films on, Manish effortlessly retains the tag of B-town’s big daddy designer. In town over the weekend for The Chivas Studio show — ahead of a month-long trip to New Zealand for nephew Punit malhotra’s directorial debut I Hate Love Stories starring Sonam Kapoor and Imran Khan — he spoke to t2 about his long run at the top of the game, and how he got there.
The conversation, of course, was not uninterrupted. Manish was Blackberried, thanks to an Awards night on Sunday. In between phone calls from Kareena Kapoor — when he got busy convincing her to dance in heels — and checking snaps from Saif Ali Khan and choosing his tees, Manish got talking...
Twenty years in films and fashion…. How did it all begin?
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| “PRIYANKA’S VERY ENERGETIC — SHE’S A MAST PUNJABI — ALWAYS EXCITED AND HAPPY!” |
Well, I actually began as a model in 1989 but I was always interested in the movies. Fashion those days had just picked up. Ensemble had opened and the only designers around were Tarun Tahiliani, Rohit Bal and Abu Jani-Sandeep Khosla. I didn’t have money to make a collection and launch myself, so I thought the next best way was to join films. Those days costume designing was looked down upon. The industry was dominated by women and I was the first male to come around!
The first few years were a struggle. Cheques always bounced and suppose we were due X and Y amounts, we got paid only X.
Which is the first actress you dressed?
My first assignment was a song for Juhi Chawla in Swarg. Then, in 1990 I did Apradhi for Shilpa Shirodkar. I remember the first garment: it was a funeral scene and she was meant to wear a white salwar kameez. The director had said: “Make it sexy”!
So, did you make it sexy?
Well, we did some fittings!
Looking back, how do you see your contribution to the industry?
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| “KAREENA IS LIKE MY SISTER. I AM MOST COMFORTABLE WORKING WITH HER.... I LOVE HER IN THIS ORANGE SARI IN THE 3 IDIOTS RAIN SONG” |
I brought about the concept of styling a Bollywood film. I began travelling to source items. I thought to myself, how can I stand out from the prevailing designers? What could be my USP — not for extra money but as an extra or a perk to the film? I then started designing the total look — hair, make-up and accessories, for no extra charge. I started discussing with make-up artists. Rangeela and Raja Hindustani were the first big hits of this package.
When I came in, I wanted to eliminate shine and OTT jewellery from Bollywood but I have to admit my love for bling!
Today, when I see mainstream designers looking up to films and wanting to be a part of the industry, I feel proud. I began with Sridevi, Juhi and Madhuri Dixit. Then I worked with Karisma Kapoor, Raveena Tandon and Manisha Koirala. Then came Rani Mukerji, Aishwarya Rai, Preity Zinta and Kareena Kapoor. Soon there was Priyanka Chopra and Katrina Kaif. The latest batch is Sonam Kapoor and Deepika Padukone. And I am still around!
Even today when anyone compiles a list of “cutting-edge” stylists, my name features in it. It’s been 20 years and my look is still contemporary. I can still do a trendy Pyaar Impossible! and when critics say that the best thing about the film is the styling, it is definitely a high!
Read the rest HERE.
