Showing posts with label Manish Malhotra interview. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Manish Malhotra interview. Show all posts
Sridevi ji was the only actor I called ma’am-Manish Malhotra
9:56 AM
Sonal Kalra (HINDUSTAN TIMES; March 10, 2026)
He put India on the global map with his beautiful creations. But beyond the genius, he’s only human. He carries a heart that misses his near and dear ones, especially the actor who had the biggest influence on him. Designer Manish Malhotra reflects on his bond with late actor Sridevi, which continues through her daughter, actor Janhvi Kapoor. Excerpts from The Right Angle with Sonal Kalra:
You were close to Sridevi. How are you taking her legacy forward by mentoring her daughters, Janhvi and Khushi?
Late photographer Rakesh Shrestha liked my sketches and introduced me to actors for styling them. I went to meet Sridevi for the first time at Mehboob Studio in 1991 and I was a big fan even before I met her. She was in a red outfit and was just going to the set. She was quiet. Then she called me to do a sweater, which was a continuity sweater for Khuda Gawaah (1992). I went to meet her, and somehow we connected.
Then, in 1996, we were in Las Vegas and she told me she was leaving films. She said she worked from the age of four and she wanted her life to carry on. I remember getting a little lump in my throat. I was so attached to her. And in the 15 years when she didn’t work and gave birth to Janhvi and Khushi, I was the one person who was always in touch with her. And I still called her ma’am. I continued my respect and friendship because I think she really contributed to my career. Her death was a big loss to the film industry.
I’m very fond of South Indian food and ma’am would get it to my house. That’s something that Janhvi sweetly does now, which is so nice of her. Every month, she makes it a point to come over, spend time, and get food from her house.
You were present at the first shots of several actresses. Do you think they look at you as a lucky mascot?
I was there at Rani Mukerji’s first shot for Raja Ki Aayegi Baraat (1997), Kareena Kapoor Khan for Kaho Naa... Pyaar Hai (2000; she was the original heroine), Deepika Padukone in Om Shanti Om (2007), Alia Bhatt for Student Of The Year (2012), and Ananya Panday for Student Of The Year 2 (2019). So, I would say I’m the lucky mascot here. I’ve seen them grow and evolve.
In fact, with Kriti Sanon, Bipasha Basu and Lara Dutta, I worked with them before they became actresses, as models. I’ve seen their journeys from being newcomers to being established actors, with some even getting married and becoming mothers! Now we are working with the newer generation.
A lot of female actors have been Manish Malhotra brides. Whose look do you cherish the most?
Kiara Advani and Sidharth Malhotra’s because the entire wedding was done by us. There were discussions about the décor, the surprises entry dance by Kiara, or the Reel that Sidharth did. And I forced them to put it up, saying, ‘Please put up this Reel!’ I am grateful to them for their love and respect. So happy! So I think that is one of my most cherished weddings.
I am no longer doing Meena Kumari’s biopic-Manish Malhotra
8:19 AM
Even as his maiden production Saali Mohabbat premières at International Film Festival of India, designer Manish Malhotra says his plan of directing Kriti-led biopic shelved
Priyanka Sharma (MID-DAY; November 26, 2024)
Glamour and style are the first things that come to mind when one thinks of Manish Malhotra. But after over three decades of creating fashion statements for movies, the couturier has acquired a new identity—of a filmmaker. As his maiden production, Saali Mohabbat, premièred at the 55th International Film Festival of India (IFFI) on November 22, it was easy to see that his bent of storytelling is far removed from his work as a designer.
“My dream with Stage 5 was to start a different narrative from what’s expected out of me. [People expected] my films to star Kareena [Kapoor Khan] or the young girls, with lots of glamour. But this is not an extension of my brand. I can do glamorous storytelling tomorrow itself. But the most important thing is the script,” emphasises the new producer.
The story takes centre-stage in Saali Mohabbat, starring Radhika Apte, Divyenndu and Anurag Kashyap, and helmed by Tisca Chopra. The thriller revolves around a homemaker who is telling a story of infidelity and deceit to a group of people. Backing a middle-of-the-road film is not easy. Did Malhotra seek advice from his industry friends, especially filmmaker Karan Johar?
“When I told Karan about Saali Mohabbat, he was surprised. But he also knows if I’ve said yes to something, I will do it. I didn’t ask anyone anything. I just wanted it to be mine, be it good, bad or ugly. Friends are always protective about you and will say, ‘Make something else.’ But this had to be my voice.” Have Kareena Kapoor Khan, Janhvi Kapoor or other actor-friends asked him to make movies with them too? “I think when they see my work, they may say this,” he chuckles.
It’s not every day that a fashion designer turns filmmaker. But filmmaking was a natural step for him. “All fashion designers don’t have a film sense, but some do. With me, it was organic because I was in love with films since childhood, watching Mughal-E-Azam [1960] or the works of Raj Kapoor and Guru Dutt. I love the ’70s, their songs and costumes. I am steeped in films. That’s why I get how it works,” says Malhotra, who also has Bun Tikki and Ul Jalool Ishq in the pipeline.
At the end of our chat, we ask him for an update on the Meena Kumar biopic that he was to direct with Kriti Sanon playing the late actor. He says, “I’m no longer doing the biopic. I’ll direct something else. Directing is one dream that remains unfulfilled.”
Manish Malhotra feels honoured to be styling Gen Y actresses of Bollywood
8:07 AM
BOMBAY TIMES (June 24, 2018)
After styling some of the top actresses in Bollywood over the years, Manish Malhotra is all set to design for the new crop of rising stars in the industry. While Manish has already been working on giving newcomers Janhvi Kapoor and Sara Ali Khan the perfect look for their films, he will also be designing for debutantes Ananya Panday, Tara Sutaria and Warina Hussain in the upcoming months.The 51-year-old designer, whose label completes 30 years in July, has had an illustrious career spanning 28-years in the industry. Talking about styling Gen Y actresses, he says, “Whether it’s a youth-centric film like Student Of The Year 2 or a period drama like Kalank, I am working on different kinds of films. Whether it’s Janhvi for Dhadak, Sara for Simmba, Ananya and Tara for Student Of The Year 2 or Warina for Loveratri, I feel privileged and honoured to work with these young actresses.” Manish gives a lowdown on styling each actress...
Talking about his experience styling the current generation of actresses, Manish says, “Student Of The Year 2 is an entertaining film. It is quite different from the first one. While the first film was a glamorous one, in the second film, Ananya and Tara have been styled in a fun and relatable fashion. In Loveratri (romantic film), I have made sure that both Warina and Aayush Sharma (who play Gujaratis in the film) sport a young look.”
Manish who has at one point of time even styled the late Sridevi (mother of Janhvi Kapoor) says, “I have designed for Sridevi Ma’am and she was very dear to me. Janhvi was born in front of me and I have full faith in her talent and hard work. I am sure that she is going to turn out to be an incredible actress and someone who I will be very proud of.”
Talking about Janhvi’s look in Dhadak, Manish says that designing for a character which is based in Udaipur, Rajasthan, was not an easy task. He says, “Janhvi’s character is that of a rich minister’s daughter who lives in a very conservative house and her father is protective of her. Hence, the outfits for her had to be toned down. While the fabric, texture and colours were bold, we tried a lot of interesting mix of kurta with harem salwar, red waist coat, ivory mal mal ghagra and kalidars to get her look right in the film.” Adding to this, Manish says, “In the second half of the film, Janhvi’s character gets into a realistic mode and goes through several trials and tribulations, thus her dressing had to reflect the struggle. Her attires were kept modest to make the plot look believable.”
Manish who has not only made actresses look beautiful in their films over the years, but also during fashion weeks and fashion shows, catering to their wedding orders — he has managed to build a large client base all over the world. He says, “I have a huge store in Mumbai and in New Delhi. And over the years, I have seen a lot of people choose my brand of clothing because of the love that they have for the actresses and the characters that they have portrayed in Bollywood. My day is never an eight hour working day. I sometimes spend 12-16 crazy hours at work, so that I never lose that connect with movies and actors I have worked with for so many years.” Talking about his latest Bollywood projects, Manish says, “I have diverse films to work on soon. I have designed for Daisy Shah and Jacqueline Fernandez in Race 3. At the moment, I am working on Fanne Khan where I will be designing for Aishwarya Rai Bachchan.” Manish Malhotra decodes Janhvi Kapoor's Dhadak look
8:10 AM
Manish Malhotra on how he transformed Janhvi Kapoor into a Rajasthani girl for Dhadak
Mohar Basu (MID-DAY; June 23, 2018)
As Dhadak inches closer to release, one can see more of Janhvi Kapoor's elaborate desi look, carefully crafted by Manish Malhotra. Given that the story — an adaptation of Sairat (2016) — is set in Udaipur, Malhotra had the task of transforming the urbane Kapoor into a Rajasthani girl.
"I used styles that are inspired by the vivid culture of Rajasthan; you will see her donning printed kurtas with harem salwars and mal mal ghagras in vibrant hues. I kept her look fresh, while mixing multiple colours and prints in every outfit. My aim was to make her look completely different as it's her first film," says the ace designer, adding that her wardrobe had to undergo a dramatic shift in the second half. "The film goes in a realistic space where the characters face hardships, and this is reflected in her dressing."
That the film holds a special place in Malhotra's heart is obvious, considering the deep bond he shared with the late Sridevi. "Having worked with her mother since the beginning of my career, it brings me great joy to see Janhvi on the big screen. She will be an incredible actress and will make her mother proud."
My next step would be to make movies-Manish Malhotra
7:53 AM
Mohar Basu (BOMBAY TIMES; August 26, 2015)
Designer Manish Malhotra can
be credited for single handedly transforming the fashion
landscape of India by suffusing it with his innovation in Bollywood
designs. 25 years ago, he was the only man who fought the elitist bias
of vogue nazis and envisioned the marvellous concoction of films and
fashion. A quarter of a century later, Malhotra's energy has hardly
dimmed. He is still a 6 am riser and finds Sundays mundane. “For as long
as I remember, I've been working. At 17, boys my age would be chilling
with friends, but I was either rushing for a look test or going for a
modelling assignment,“ says he.
He continues, “At 23, I was the first person to say that Indian fashion can be shown through films as well. I was always concerned about the script, the story, and focus on the nuances. The whole makeover of Rangeela was life changing. It was a red-letter day when for the first time an award was given for costume designing.“
By 1999, after working with names like Ram Gopal Varma, Yash Chopra, Karan Johar, Manish started his own label - first as a store called Reverie and then his brand that finishes a decade this year. He says, “By November end, I am opening my first menswear store. We are also opening new stores in London and Dubai.“ Though his love for cinema prevails, his label is now his priority.
Manish is careful about not being 'a jaded 48-year-old, who gives snooty I-know-it-all looks'. “I've designed actresses from Sridevi to Alia Bhatt, actors from Shah Rukh Khan to Arjun Kapoor. Retaining freshness and the relatability factor pushes me to think younger. For instance, at the Delhi Couture Week, I used western fabrics with Indian crafts and designs,“ he adds.
For his latest show, Ranbir Kapoor will be his showstopper. “I only ask people whom I've worked with to walk for me. He she must've worn my work for it to look natural,“ he asserts.
When you ask what's next for him, he signs off with, “My next step would be to make movies. I want to put my vision out there.“
He continues, “At 23, I was the first person to say that Indian fashion can be shown through films as well. I was always concerned about the script, the story, and focus on the nuances. The whole makeover of Rangeela was life changing. It was a red-letter day when for the first time an award was given for costume designing.“
By 1999, after working with names like Ram Gopal Varma, Yash Chopra, Karan Johar, Manish started his own label - first as a store called Reverie and then his brand that finishes a decade this year. He says, “By November end, I am opening my first menswear store. We are also opening new stores in London and Dubai.“ Though his love for cinema prevails, his label is now his priority.
Manish is careful about not being 'a jaded 48-year-old, who gives snooty I-know-it-all looks'. “I've designed actresses from Sridevi to Alia Bhatt, actors from Shah Rukh Khan to Arjun Kapoor. Retaining freshness and the relatability factor pushes me to think younger. For instance, at the Delhi Couture Week, I used western fabrics with Indian crafts and designs,“ he adds.
For his latest show, Ranbir Kapoor will be his showstopper. “I only ask people whom I've worked with to walk for me. He she must've worn my work for it to look natural,“ he asserts.
When you ask what's next for him, he signs off with, “My next step would be to make movies. I want to put my vision out there.“
I will jump in the water first and then learn to swim-Manish Malhotra
8:49 AM
He started his career as a costume designer at the age of 23. Today, Manish Malhotra’s fashion label is a company with a turnover of
over R 100 crore. Deepali Dhingra speaks to the fashion designer about
his love for the movies, his dislike for wannabes and why he calls
himself a true Saggitarian
Deepali Dhingra (MID-DAY; June 15, 2014)
In the middle of
our conversation with Manish Malhotra, we can’t help but notice how his
eyes keep straying to the mannequin placed in the middle of his store.
Suddenly, the fashion designer gets up from the sofa and pulls away the
scarf that is draped across the mannequin’s hand. “That’s been
bothering me ever since we started talking,” he says, returning to his
seat.
It’s a small gesture, but one which goes a long way in giving us an insight into the mind of the man, who’s one of the most renowned fashion designers this country has seen. “I like things to be in order. I also like my life to be in order and when that happens, there’s so much one can do,” he smiles.
Malhotra may have changed and evolved over the years in many ways, but the one thing that hasn’t changed is his single-minded focus on work. “Even while growing up, I was never one those guys you see hanging around at the street corner with friends,” he reminisces.
The Punjabi boy who grew up in Bandra might own one of the biggest fashion labels in the country today, but in his college days, Malhotra modelled and even worked part time in a boutique. “I was very fond of watching Hindi films and was fascinated by the costumes the heroines would wear, especially in Yash Chopra’s movies,” says the self-taught designer, who still loves going to the movie theatre. “I’m like a kid who loves going to theatre with a tub of popcorn in my hand,” he says.
We’re sitting in Malhotra’s 6,000 sq ft store, his second one in Khar, and everywhere you look, the designer’s love for the good things in life is pretty evident. Right from Anoushka Shankar’s enchanting Traces of You that plays softly in the background to the rich, embroidered lehengas in hues of reds, pinks and oranges — that tempt us enough to keep stealing appreciative glances at them — the store is a luxury statement. “What interests me is how everything is displayed. I have very neat sensibilities. I like ornate clothes, colours and embellishments. I can’t stand clutter one bit,” Malhotra tells us.
Even when it comes to his professional commitments, it is this single-minded attention to details and clutter-free nature, that spurs him on. “I’m very serious when it comes to my work. I don’t understand designers who come late for their own fittings or have drinks minutes before the fashion show is about to start. I cannot understand peer pressure of smoking or doing drugs. I’ve never been a wannabe and I’ve never done what I don’t want to do,” he says. Calling himself a true Saggitarian, the designer says he has a simplistic approach towards life. “For me, something is either black or white. I don’t like shades of grey,” Malhotra adds.
For somebody who started his career as a costume designer 24 years ago, Malhotra’s name is synonymous with movies and makeovers. Think Urmila Matondkar in Rangeela, Karisma Kapoor in Raja Hindustani and Kareena Kapoor in Kabhie Khushi Kabhie Gham among countless other top actresses he’s designed outfits for. “I think the film industry has given me everything — a platform to evolve and learn my craft, work to look back upon, my lifestyle, opportunity to travel, and some lengthy associations. I’m still friendly with Urmila and I’m regularly in touch with Sridevi, Karisma and Raveena. I did two movies for Dharma Productions even before Karan (Johar) joined it and till now, I’m doing movies for them,” he adds.
But now, it’s the very same industry that he’s taking a break from. Not because he wants to lessen his workload. On the contrary, the designer has huge expansion plans for his label and is devoting all his time and energy into the same. “Somebody once asked me whether I became the Manish Malhotra I had set out to become and my reply was, I became that a long time ago. I wanted to become a costume designer, work with the top directors and actors and travel the world. Then as you evolve, things change. Next year, I complete 25 years as a costume designer and 10 years of my fashion label. I’m very clear that I want to do only two movies a year. My mind is on expansion, growth and bettering my craft. I’m focusing on the fashion week and couture week and trying to take the collections to another level altogether,” says the man, who embraces change in his life. “I love change. I’m fearless that way. I’m the kind who will jump in the water first and then learn to swim,” says Malhotra.
Any unfulfilled dream? “I live with my parents and I love what I do. I think I’m blessed,” he says. It’s the right cue for us to conclude our conversation. But not before we turn back and take in the sight of those gorgeous clothes on display once more. No wonder Malhotra’s always inspired. He doesn’t have to look beyond his own work.
MY FAVOURITES
MAGAZINE: Vogue India, Filmfare
FILM: Kabhie Kabhie, Love Story
BOOK: The Alchemist
DESTINATION: New York
BRAND: Tom Ford
Deepali Dhingra (MID-DAY; June 15, 2014)
In the middle of
our conversation with Manish Malhotra, we can’t help but notice how his
eyes keep straying to the mannequin placed in the middle of his store.
Suddenly, the fashion designer gets up from the sofa and pulls away the
scarf that is draped across the mannequin’s hand. “That’s been
bothering me ever since we started talking,” he says, returning to his
seat.It’s a small gesture, but one which goes a long way in giving us an insight into the mind of the man, who’s one of the most renowned fashion designers this country has seen. “I like things to be in order. I also like my life to be in order and when that happens, there’s so much one can do,” he smiles.
Malhotra may have changed and evolved over the years in many ways, but the one thing that hasn’t changed is his single-minded focus on work. “Even while growing up, I was never one those guys you see hanging around at the street corner with friends,” he reminisces.
The Punjabi boy who grew up in Bandra might own one of the biggest fashion labels in the country today, but in his college days, Malhotra modelled and even worked part time in a boutique. “I was very fond of watching Hindi films and was fascinated by the costumes the heroines would wear, especially in Yash Chopra’s movies,” says the self-taught designer, who still loves going to the movie theatre. “I’m like a kid who loves going to theatre with a tub of popcorn in my hand,” he says.
We’re sitting in Malhotra’s 6,000 sq ft store, his second one in Khar, and everywhere you look, the designer’s love for the good things in life is pretty evident. Right from Anoushka Shankar’s enchanting Traces of You that plays softly in the background to the rich, embroidered lehengas in hues of reds, pinks and oranges — that tempt us enough to keep stealing appreciative glances at them — the store is a luxury statement. “What interests me is how everything is displayed. I have very neat sensibilities. I like ornate clothes, colours and embellishments. I can’t stand clutter one bit,” Malhotra tells us.
Even when it comes to his professional commitments, it is this single-minded attention to details and clutter-free nature, that spurs him on. “I’m very serious when it comes to my work. I don’t understand designers who come late for their own fittings or have drinks minutes before the fashion show is about to start. I cannot understand peer pressure of smoking or doing drugs. I’ve never been a wannabe and I’ve never done what I don’t want to do,” he says. Calling himself a true Saggitarian, the designer says he has a simplistic approach towards life. “For me, something is either black or white. I don’t like shades of grey,” Malhotra adds.
For somebody who started his career as a costume designer 24 years ago, Malhotra’s name is synonymous with movies and makeovers. Think Urmila Matondkar in Rangeela, Karisma Kapoor in Raja Hindustani and Kareena Kapoor in Kabhie Khushi Kabhie Gham among countless other top actresses he’s designed outfits for. “I think the film industry has given me everything — a platform to evolve and learn my craft, work to look back upon, my lifestyle, opportunity to travel, and some lengthy associations. I’m still friendly with Urmila and I’m regularly in touch with Sridevi, Karisma and Raveena. I did two movies for Dharma Productions even before Karan (Johar) joined it and till now, I’m doing movies for them,” he adds.
But now, it’s the very same industry that he’s taking a break from. Not because he wants to lessen his workload. On the contrary, the designer has huge expansion plans for his label and is devoting all his time and energy into the same. “Somebody once asked me whether I became the Manish Malhotra I had set out to become and my reply was, I became that a long time ago. I wanted to become a costume designer, work with the top directors and actors and travel the world. Then as you evolve, things change. Next year, I complete 25 years as a costume designer and 10 years of my fashion label. I’m very clear that I want to do only two movies a year. My mind is on expansion, growth and bettering my craft. I’m focusing on the fashion week and couture week and trying to take the collections to another level altogether,” says the man, who embraces change in his life. “I love change. I’m fearless that way. I’m the kind who will jump in the water first and then learn to swim,” says Malhotra.
Any unfulfilled dream? “I live with my parents and I love what I do. I think I’m blessed,” he says. It’s the right cue for us to conclude our conversation. But not before we turn back and take in the sight of those gorgeous clothes on display once more. No wonder Malhotra’s always inspired. He doesn’t have to look beyond his own work.
MY FAVOURITES
MAGAZINE: Vogue India, Filmfare
FILM: Kabhie Kabhie, Love Story
BOOK: The Alchemist
DESTINATION: New York
BRAND: Tom Ford
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