Bhansali inspires Modi

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Anju Modi is open to designing for more Bollywood films

After a series of changes in the cast for Ram Leela, filmmaker Sanjay Leela Bhansali has finally found his Juliet in Deepika Padukone. And Sanjay has picked Delhi-based designer Anju Modi to design for Deepika.

Although Modi has been designing for Madhuri Dikshit (Jhalak Dikhhla Jaa), Aishwarya Rai, Sonam Kapoor have also picked her designs for various shoots, this will be Modi’s first Bollywood as a costume designer.
Talking about how the project came about, Modi tells us, “I got a call from Sanjay’s office a few months back. They did their research before ringing me and I was told that Sanjay was quite impressed by my work. Then I flew to Mumbai and had a talk with him where we decided to work together on the film.”
Modi was always clear that the script should match the kind of work she does. And she says her sensibilities are in sync with the script of Ram Leela which is why she gave the project her nod.
“Every designer has their design sensibilities. Manish Malhotra plays with chiffons and georgettes to create something different. I was picked because my work reflects the cultural heritage of Rajasthan and Kutch. I can also do a lot of different things but that won’t be truly me. I have kept the Indian-ness intact in my designs.”
Designing for people is different from designing for cinematic characters. But Modi knows how to keep the two separate. “When it comes to costumes, they need to be a little dramatic, slightly over-the-top as they are designed for larger than life characters. And that’s the beauty of costume designing, to turn the mundane and day-to-day into something exciting and dramatic.”
Sanjay Leela Bhansali has an eye for detail and working with Sanjay is inspiring, reveals Modi. She adds when two creative minds come together, their energies multiply. “We respect each other’s work and are open to each other’s ideas. He has given me a free hand on the project. There is no room for disagreements. He likes my work and he has even asked me to design something for him,” she says.
Is she apprehensive about comparisons being drawn between her work and Sabyasachi, who also debuted in Bollywood with Bhansali’s Black?
Modi says, “The expectations are always going to be there. But we are mature people and beyond these comparisons. People are free to feel the way they want to. If the filmmakers are happy with my work, I am satisfied.”