Since the release of Padmavati’s posters followed by its trailer, people can’t stop raving about the transformation of Deepika Padukone as Rani Padmavati, Shahid Kapoor as Rana Rawal Ratan Singh and Ranveer Singh as Alauddin Khalji. While Deepika’s unibrow look has received a mixed response and all the attention it deserved, we still covet for more to-be-revealed costumes and secrets.
Sourced from different regions in India, Designer Rimple and Harpreet Narula have managed to design 150 ornate pieces for the film in almost a year and a half, which is incredible. We know Bhansali films portray royalty and art in its true nature but with time, it keeps on getting more and more detailed.
While for Deepika’s ornate court looks, designers mixed raato and dhaulo to manifest vintage effect, for Shahid’s look they have used fabrics like mulmul and cotton. On the contrary, they relied on heavier fabrics like velvet, woven khadi and brocade to compliment Ranveer Singh as Alauddin Khalji. But did you think it’s just the heavy jewellery, beauty looks and elaborate outfits that are gaining popularity? There’s more to it if you dive into the details.
Have you noticed armours that Shahid and Ranveer are wearing in the trailer yet? Because they have a story too. They are designed by Vipul Amar and Harsheen K. Arora, directors of a bespoke brand The V Renaissance. The duo made sure that their designs are timeless as they shared with us, “Three elements needed to come together for this challenge to be met – The functionality of the armour, the visual appeal, and most importantly to get inside the head to understand how Mr. Bhansali would see it through his lens. When the first two elements (functionality and visual appeal) come together it does not remain time specific – rather it becomes timeless.”
We can tell from Ranveer’s acting skills that he deeply gets into the character he’s playing and so was his reaction when he first saw the armour. But what went into that intricate masterpiece – “Alauddin Khalji’s armour is full of technicality. As only the lions on his shoulders have been revealed so far let me just begin by saying that one of the major techniques used in his armour is sculpting by hand.”
For Rana Rawal Ratan Singh’s armour, hand-tanned vintage leather inlayed with metal work was used. The point that will interest you the most is that vintage leather has been infused with metal to protect the heart as it resonates with a Rajput’s love for its land.
There goes no second thought in saying that Shahid’s Rajputana look is poles apart from Ranveer’s Mughal look. In a situation like that, here’s how understanding psychology can be a big perk.
Harsheen is a psychologist herself which helps her understand a character’s behaviour and that also, becomes one of the important aspect of The V Renaissance designs. As the duo shares, “Once we were able to get into the psyche of Rana Rawal Ratan Singh it helped in bringing elements to his armour which represent his truest essence of nobility and honour. On the other hand, Alauddin Khalji’s essence was a total contrast to Ratan Singh. The beast in him had to be evidently incorporated into his armour. It had to represent the Sultan that he believed he was, the Sultan that he envisioned him as – in his own mind.”
Well, the designers had a great time working with Sanjay Leela Bhansali as they wrapped up their experience in two soothing words, “soul satisfying.”
We are sure, no one would be able to skip the weekend of Padmavati after realising that the movie has countless layers and is detailed on another level.
If you want to get some designs as extravagant as Deepika’s for yourself, go ahead, we’ve picked a few options for you.
POPxo Recommends:
Cream & Pink: Patang Lehenga 4109 (Rs 9,650)
Orange Passion: Zikkar Lehenga 4005 (Rs 13,913)
Rani Pink: Zikkar Lehenga 4006 (Rs 15,099)
Gold Finish: Soranam crystal studded necklace set (Rs 7,800)
Kundan Jewellery: Opalina Gold finish kundan studded necklace (Rs 52,000)
