Karan Johar’s latest directorial–Rocky Aur Rani Kii Prem Kahaani has already contributed to a lot of buzz on the internet. Already a hit at the box office, Johar’s dream project starring Alia Bhatt and Ranveer Singh has garnered love and appreciation for its plot and perfectly portrayed style. A homage to legendary late filmmaker–Yash Chopra’s romance with chiffon sarees, Johar presented his heroine Alia in a variety of these painted drapes, dancing against snow-capped mountains. Handing over this task, Johar trusted his longtime collaborator and friend–Manish Malhotra, who aced at it. Gifting us with another bundle of trends, Malhotra’s labour of love looks bright and beautiful in Alia’s wardrobe in the film. In an exclusive conversation with me, the designer decodes the vision behind Alia Bhatt’s look in the film, bridal trends to expect and his most-awaited project–the Meena Kumari biopic.
Q: What was the vision behind the costumes of Rocky Aur Rani Kii Prem Kahaani?
Manish Malhotra: Karan wanted to see Alia in sarees to reflect her dynamic Bengali character on screen who’s so bright, beautiful and bold with her actions and words. We played with colours and integrated diverse Indian crafts, utilising techniques such as dyeing (Leheriya, ombré), thread embroidery, and traditional weaves. Signature sarees were adorned with block printing. Rani’s Bengali heritage was beautifully represented with authentic Bengali textiles, such as for the “Dhindora Baje” song, the red and white Bengali Korial saree was modified to be red and gold to add a touch of drama and elegance with the use of gold accents. This alteration created a visually striking and memorable look for the character and the scene. We also used traditional Jamdani, a fine muslin fabric, in some looks to add culture to her character’s clothing choices.
Q: How was it collaborating with Alia Bhatt and Karan Johar after a long time? What were the major inputs in terms of design from their end?
Manish Malhotra: Working with Karan is a creative jam with an old friend. He envisioned Alia in vibrant sarees for her modern journalist role, and she wore them with grace and energy. Every colour choice not only complimented her character but also echoed Alia’s dynamic personality, crafting a narrative as bright and beautiful as she is.
Q: Your favourite bridal look in a Karan Johar film?
Manish Malhotra: Kajol’s peach bridal lehenga from the movie Kuch Kuch Hota Hai.
Q: What was the brief given to you about Rani and Rocky’s character looks?
Manish Malhotra: Working on Rocky and Rani was like a roller coaster of creativity– thrilling yet fun. Karan came to me with this vision of Alia in sarees. And when it comes to sarees, nothing beats my all-time favourite–chiffon. It’s like a canvas, so delicate yet expressive. Colours were the soul of these sarees. We painted stories with them, mixing and matching, in colour blocking and ombrés to capture the essence of Alia’s character of a Bengali journalist on screen.
Q: What are the style trends we can expect from the film?
Manish Malhotra: Expect bold colour blocking and the subtle gradient of ombre pastels on timeless chiffon sarees.
Q: Tell us your favourite look from the film.
Manish Malhotra: Picking a favourite look from “Rocky and Rani” is tough, but if I had to, I’d go with the colour block sarees. They’re just so bold, vibrant, and they add an interesting twist to traditional attire.
Q: You’ve designed for so many real-life celebrity brides. Tell us your favourite bridal look.
Manish Malhotra: Every bridal look is something I hold close to my heart. Creating unique, fashion-forward looks for every bride depends on the look the bride has dreamt of all her life. Some brides want glamour and style, while others require a more minimal aesthetic.
Q: What is the one thing that you want fans to take away from Rani’s style in the films?
Manish Malhotra: Our bright and bold sarees, just like Rani herself. These vibrant colours match her vivacious personality, creating a stylish echo of her character’s journey.
Also Read: Rocky Aur Rani Kii Prem Kahaani Review: Ranveer Singh Rocks In Funny, Moving, Delightfully Subversive Modern Romance. Karan Johar Is Back
Q: The colour palette of Alia’s sarees in the film is being talked about. What was the inspiration behind it?
Manish Malhotra: Alia’s portrayal of a modern, independent journalist in the film prompted me to experiment with colours. The goal was to infuse an old-school cinematic vibe into her look, complete with drama and romance. Through vivid hues and chiffon sarees, we aimed to capture her journey and the nostalgia of classic rom-com cinema.
Q: What is the one bridal trend we can expect to be a major hit this year?
Manish Malhotra: This year, my brides can anticipate a return to nature with earthy tones and ombre designs. My personal favourite design element that I infuse into my creations is the dramatic veil and trail combination, adding a touch of timelessness and depth to contemporary aesthetics. This signature style brings each bride’s unique personality and beauty to the fore.
Q: What can you tell us about your directorial debut–the Meena Kumari biopic?
Manish Malhotra: The biopic is a project I’m still brewing on. I promise, when it’s ready to see the light of day, you’ll know.
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