Manish Malhotra: Fashion Is Serious Business

Fashion mogul, Manish Malhotra, tells Kinnari Rathod that fashion is serious business

- Kinnari Rathod

Three decades after styling the biggest stars and the most lavish films, Manish Malhotra’s career is stronger and more stellar than ever. He’s come a long way from styling films like Rangeela and Raja Hindustani. Today he’s a lot more than just a film costume expert; he’s the final word in fashion when it comes to India. His brand and his image as a fashion icon has transcended anything India has ever witnessed before. Whether it’s the West, the East or any other place in between, Bollywood and Indian fashion cannot express itself without the mention of Manish Malhotra. In a candid interview, the iconic designer and stylist recalls the highs and lows of a career in glitz and glamour…

Which would be the most challenging films you have designed for?

Definitely my initial years with Rangeela, Raja Hindustani, Dil To Pagal Hai… because they were about setting a new mark - discussing hair and make-up and putting across your point of view as a designer was difficult those days. Also, during Kabhi Alvida Na Kehna (KANK), we didn’t have assistants. I’d go and shop for Shah Rukh Khan and Karan (Johar) would help me in the fittings. KANK had a huge cast comprising Mr Amitabh Bachchan, Arjun Rampal, Preity Zinta, Rani Mukerji, Abhishek Bachchan et al. My memories of that film are about hours and hours of walking, sourcing clothes, alterations being done at night and so on. It was one of the most difficult films of my career. I’d also name Mughal-e-Azam, the play. I’d never designed for a play, that too 550 costumes in a month.

Which assignments do you consider as a cakewalk?