Source: Business Standard
By: Archana Jahagirdar
Date: February 26, 2008
FASHION: Costumes designed by Neeta Lulla for the film 'Jodhaa Akbar' will be sold through retail chain Samsaara. Jodhaa Akbar, the film directed by Ashutosh Gowariker, has generated both controversy and praise, not to mention the box office that it has set ablaze. And of the many things the film has been praised and watched for — Hrithik Roshan’s magnificent portrayal of Akbar, the cinematography and AR Rehman’s music — the costumes in conjunction with the jewellery have also been a major pull factor for the film. Spotting the interest that the clothes in the film have evoked, Samsaara, a high-fashion retailer with a presence in five cities including Dubai and Kuwait, has decided to retail 18 of the dresses designed by the film’s costume designer Neeta Lulla.
The costumes that will be sold are only for women and come with price tags of between Rs 7,000 and Rs 2 lakh for the lehangas that Aishwarya Rai wore. Lulla says that when she started the designing work for the film, after having read the script as well as the Akbarnama, her brief to herself was, “to create a look which is believable and which is accepted by the audience.” Judging by the response to the costumes, Lulla has succeeded in her endeavour. Lulla feels that Akbar’s era was the ultimate in glamour and that made her job of dressing up the characters, especially the lead pair of Roshan and Rai, easy. Lulla adds, “I did feel that this movie would be a landmark film.” Responding to the question whether the retail customer would buy the film’s costumes to wear them in daily life, albeit at special occasions like weddings, Lulla says, “No matter how westernised you get, our Indian look is deep-rooted.”
True, Indian brides are yet to step out in the latest hot mini skirt trend on their wedding day. Lulla, who took almost six months to research the costumes for the entire cast of the film, says that the lack of available research on clothes from that period did not hamper her work. Post research, it took her two months to get the costumes to the sets of the film. Given the fact that Bollywood has always created fashion trends in the past, availability of clothes seen in Jodhaa Akbar is likely to work, for who would not like to look like an empress for a day?
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Source: DNA India
Date: February 18, 2008
By: Sheree Gomes-Gupta
Fashion designer Neeta Lulla says the film’s look has become a rage with soon-to-be weds It’s been just three days since the movie’s release, but Neeta Lulla claims she’s already got several orders for the clothes she made for Hrithik Roshan in ‘Jodhaa Akbar’. “People are intrigued by this look and even though the clothes belong to a different era, they feel they can wear it today. I’m sure it will be used as a catalogue for weddings for a long time to come,” says Neeta. Neeta is launching her ‘Jodhaa Akbaar’ line at fashion store Samsaara today, followed by a similar launch at her signature store.
“The inspiration for this collection is obviously from the film, but there’s a lot more than just bridal lehengas. There’ll be tunics and sarees too in bright colours like yellows, reds and greens. The materials used are specifically sourced to represent the actual look of the garments worn during the Akbar reign,” she reveals. Dismissing rumours that Aishwarya Rai in her off screen avatar as Mrs Bachchan has shifted loyalties to her new family’s favourite designers Abu Jani and Sandeep Khosla, Neeta says, “There’s no use commenting on such speculation. The chemistry Ash and I have is fabulous; after all, we’ve known each other for over 10 years now. She’s so versatile and very dedicated; a delight to design for.”
However, the designer can’t stop raving about Hrithik, with whom she has worked with for the first time. “I haven’t seen a more patient and sincere actor than him. I had to call him for so many fittings for the armor and pagdi, but not once did he complain. He respects the work of technicians and also values our time. Add to that, he knows his body very well. He’ll tell you exactly what about an outfit is not working for him, which makes it easier for us,” she says, adding, “I’ve been lucky to work with two of the best looking actors in the industry.” While she admits designing for this project was a challenge, given the lack of evidence or reference, she says it is an experience she’ll cherish for a long time to come. “I would really like to thank Ashutosh (Gowarikar, the director) for giving me this opportunity. It’s rare one gets to work with such an organised and focused film-maker,” she says.