Enlarge Image
Nayandeep Rakshit (DNA; October 24, 2014)

Ranveer Singh has always experimented with his looks. From the vintage look in Lootera to perfecting the brawny desi in Ram Leela, Ranveer has always thrown surprises. And now he’s turned bald for Bajirao Mastani. Not just that, the character has also brought some changes in his mannerisms, says designer Anju Modi. “He looks extremely regal with those Maratha turbans and he has somehow developed a voice quality which is a lot deeper and heavier than his usual voice. He himself said that after wearing all these royal costumes, his voice has changed into something more powerful,” she says.

Keeping the authenticity of the era was the only guideline that director Sanjay Leela Bhansali had given her and Anju worked on every detail, she claims. “It is an 18th century film. Sanjay sir wanted me to do extensive research on that period. We studied all the paintings and understood what they used to wear and how they used to drape it. By the end of it, we realised that we can take some amount of creative liberty as well,” she says.

She further adds that like any other typical SLB film, Bajirao Mastani too will be a testimony to the director’s perfect picture frames and grandiose! Ditching the usual gold shimmer, Anju has tried to do it differently using more powerful colours. “Gold is obviously there but we have used other power colours which bring out the masculinity and at the same time, exuding command. We are using military green, navy blue and of course there is a lot of ivory and egg white. It’s more like those vegetable dye colours.”

Usually enthusiastic and energetic, Ranveer has taken a keen interest in making his Bajirao Mastani look stand out. “He got involved in the research and travelled with us to Pune, Nashik and all those remote areas. He even tried all the dhotis, the churidars and was extremely excited. When the actor himself is so involved, you tend to get doubly involved,” smiles Anju.