For Rani’s sarees and blouses (generally sleeveless and incorporating knots and tassels), designer Manish Malhotra said he was given no “strict guidelines”, but director Karan Johar’s brief was clear. Rani had to be “both glamorous and rooted in Indian heritage”, Malhotra told Film Companion. For Johar, Rocky aur Rani Kii Prem Kahaani needed to be in direct dialogue with Kabhi Khushi Kabhie Gham (2001) and an homage to Bollywood’s legacy of romantic cinema, to films like Chandni (1989), Dilwale Dulhani Le Jayenge (1995) and Johar’s own filmography. “Karan wanted Rani’s character to be in sarees embodying the essence of a modern Indian woman who proudly blends tradition with a progressive outlook,” Malhotra said.
Bold and Gorgeous
Malhotra is not new to this quest of fashioning something that becomes a mainstay in the public fantasy. “No one has made blouse cuts so bold and yet so gorgeous like he has,” stylist Eka Lakhani told Film Companion (Lakhani has worked with Malhotra in Rocky aur Rani…). There is a sexiness his blouse designs have been able to define, as Chandni from Main Hoon Na (2004), Neha from Dostana (2008), Naina from Yeh Jawaani Hai Deewani (2013) or Rani from Rocky Aur Rani show. “It’s a collaborative effort where I meld my design sensibilities with a careful balance of staying true to the character’s essence while infusing elements of style and glamour that align with the actress portraying the role,” said Malhotra. “This process is particularly nuanced, as it varies depending on the roles they inhabit. For instance, in Main Hoon Na, where Sushmita Sen portrayed a tall, poised university professor, I designed a chiffon saree that exuded sensuality while retaining a traditional essence suitable for the academic setting. Conversely, for Priyanka Chopra’s character in Dostana, a spirited, independent woman in Miami often seen in bikini tops, crop tops, and shorts, I opted for a metallic tone sequin saree to resonate with the vibrant ‘desi girl’ persona depicted in the film. Alia Bhatt in Rocky aur Rani Kii Prem Kahaani, who portrays the modern Indian woman, effortlessly combines traditional attire like the saree with a contemporary mindset,” he added.
