Fanney Khan costume director Eka Lakhani on how Anil Kapoor had them frequent South Mumbai to create a garish wardrobe
Anil Kapoor and Eka Lakhani
Dressing up Anil Kapoor in Fanney Khan proved to be a tightrope task for designer Eka Lakhani, given that while his attire had to border on being garish, his character of a cab driver, did not. Kapoor had spent days to grow his salt-and-pepper hair for Atul Manjrekar's directorial venture, and getting the style file on point was equally important.
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Talking to mid-day, Lakhani said, "AK [Kapoor] was excited about going through the process of creating costumes with me. He told me how important each look has been for him in every film. He defined his character as that of a man with simple tastes, but one who finds himself in complicated situations."
The actor made Lakhani and her team frequent Mohammed Ali Road, Bhendi Bazaar and Chor Bazaar in South Mumbai to study people residing in the area. "As AK's character is one who [lives at] Mohammed Ali Road, we spent days in the area, observing people on the streets, in shops and those who would simply hang around."
Lakhani also took snapshots of a few of them who could be referenced for Kapoor's get-up. "We took pictures of shopkeepers and hawkers, and also of attires, especially, accessories. With a bunch of photographs in hand, we [aped] a cap from one, a jacket from another, and a lungi from the third to put together AK's wardrobe.
He sat with us through the entire process, even making suggestions like keeping his trouser's length till above the ankle. That's how the people there dressed. He also suggested we use colourful socks." Lakhani got her hands on attires that are given away to residents in exchange of utensils. "We altered them to fit AK, who had no qualms in wearing second-hand clothes. He is the first actor who told me to buy used attires for him. He has worn shirts that cost Rs 200."
Also View Photos: Aishwarya Rai Bachchan, Anil Kapoor at special screening of Fanney Khan
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