I remember Bhanu Athaiya as an intelligent and sophisticated lady who always looked serene and was never in a rush. She used to make mannequins of the actresses she designed for and tried the costumes on them before coming home for the final dress trial. Then, she’d come with her tailor and spend an hour watching the fitting closely. If she spotted even a slight fold, she’d immediately point it out to the masterji and tell him to pin it up and smoothen it.

She was one of the most dedicated designers I’ve worked with and my favourite, which is why I would always insist on her even though she was the most expensive at the time.

Not every producer could afford her, but many obliged because they knew I was comfortable with her. She designed my costumes in films like Patthar Ke Sanam, Brahmachari, Bandhan, and Roop Tera Mastana. For the latter, she charged Rs 5 lakh, an exorbitant sum back then, but she did not repeat a single costume and deserved every rupee she got.

I never liked to dance in sarees because I was afraid I would trip and fall. But for the evergreen Brahmachari chartbuster, “Aaj Kal Tere Mere Pyaar Ke Charche”, I was told I had to wear a saree and we sat together for an hour-and-a-half, with her sketching various designs on her pad till she finally came up with a dress-saree. It could be zipped up once I wriggled into it and near the zip was the pallu, which we brought in front and clipped on. It was just perfect and thanks to her inventive creativity, I could do that energetic song and the costume went on to set a fashion trend. She was just amazing and I was so proud when my favourite designer went on to win an Oscar.