Neeta Lulla on her recent excursion to Kolhapur to source fabric and reference points for Arjun Kapoor and Kriti Sanon’s period-drama
Avinash Lohana (MUMBAI MIRROR; July 25, 2018)

Three and a half months after Ashutosh Gowariker announced his next period-drama, Panipat, featuring Arjun Kapoor, Kriti Sanon and Sanjay Dutt, Mirror has learnt that while the fi lmmaker is busy with preproduction, the fi lm goes on the fl oors in November. It also marks Ashutosh’s fi fth collaboration with fashion designer Neeta Lulla, who has earlier worked on his Jodhaa Akbar, What’s Your Raashee?, Khelein Hum Jee Jaan Sey, and Mohenjo Daro.

As part of her prep for the film, which is based on the third battle of Panipat, Neeta, along with Ashutosh’s producer-wife Sunita, visited Kolhapur earlier this month to understand the reference points for costumes and weaving of various fabrics. “We were there to procure garments and fabric weaving to put together a look for the film with the desired colour scheme. It was a fun trip, especially because of the pleasant weather and some amazing Kolhapuri food. I am creating costumes that are larger than life and stay true to the director’s vision. The vendors and weavers we met there knew about Panipat and it was fun interacting with them about it,” informs Neeta, who also visited Ashutosh’s warehouse in Kolhapur that houses most of the props and costumes from his past films.

“I was amazed with the care with which every item is stored and was particularly excited to see my Jodhaa Akbar costumes,” Neeta smiles. Arjun and Kriti have begun taking horse-riding lessons as part of their prep and Neeta recently started look tests. “It is both challenging and fun to recreate a bygone era. The actors are happy to mould into the characters and are cooperative during the costume trials. Our research also involved library visits, collecting data through books and images of the era and the battle. I have also studied the motifs and colours on the walls of Shaniwar Wada, and about the popularity, the origin of the Paithani saris,” the designer explains.

The film’s team started recreating the Shaniwar Wada at ND Studios in Karjat in April and Ashutosh rounded up composer duo Ajay-Atul recently to brainstorm on the music.