All about Bollywood’s favourite designer

How the industry helped Manish Malhotra evolve as an artist


Ians August 02, 2015
Manish set foot in the industry at a time when there was no concept of costume designing in films. PHOTO: FILE

NEW DELHI: He entered the film industry as a costume designer when the concept of “costume designing” was alien to many. Designer Manish Malhotra, who has enjoyed a successful run of 25 years in Bollywood, says the industry helped him evolve and gave him a platform to explore and experiment with his creativity.

“My journey has been unconventional; instead of mainstream designing, I started my career with film costume. The journey has been phenomenal, I have received tremendous response,” Malhotra said in an interview.

Talking about the evolution of Bollywood over the years, he said: “I came into an industry where the concept of costume design did not exist, but now it has become a very important part. Costume, in any Bollywood story, has always helped the director create characters visually, which with time, in its own way, has become an integral part of the film industry.”

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The celebrated designer, whose tryst with designing for films began with Juhi Chawla starrer Swarg, says his journey comprised great experiences.

“Since the beginning, I was fond of watching Hindi films and was fascinated with the costumes worn by Bollywood actors. The film industry helped me evolve and gave me a platform to explore and experiment - I learned my craft, travelled and met some great people across the globe,” he said.

Malhotra redefined and modernised costumes in films like Rangeela, Raja Hindustani, Dil Toh Pagal Hai, Kuch Kuch Hota Hai, Mohabbatein, Kabhi Khushi Kabhi Gham and many more, giving some of Bollywood’s leading actresses makeovers that changed their fate in showbiz.

From Kajol, Karisma Kapoor, Kareena Kapoor Khan, Rani Mukerji, Aishwarya Rai Bachchan and Preity Zinta -- dressing up such beauties and more earned him the tag of Bollywood’s favourite designer. And he rightfully credits each of them for their support.

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“I would credit each and every person in Bollywood -- from Sridevi to Rekha to Priyanka Chopra to Kareena Kapoor Khan to Parineeti Chopra to now dressing Mira Rajput (Shahid Kapoor’s wife) and many more. All have helped and supported me for so long...I would like to give credit to all actors for embracing the costumes I created for them,” he said. 

Published in The Express Tribune, August 3rd,  2015.

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