EXCLUSIVE: Kangana & Imran’s ‘Katti Batti’ looks decoded by stylist Sheetal Sharma

How did you get on board to style Kangana and Imran for 'Katti Batti'? How was your experience?

While shooting D Day, Nikhil Advani discussed about a film which was meant to be funny, emotional, young and very quirky in style. It was a very interesting synopsis, however, the cast was still not finalised. We still went ahead on the development of the characters and put together all the research and mood boards. Shortly after, Imran confirmed and later Kangana. It was an exciting development to see this unusual pair, both known for their style.

Working on this film was amazing as Nikhil’s vision is very urban and he wanted his characters to be relatable to the modern youth which gave us a lot of freedom to experiment with looks.

The promos have Kangana looking amazing in some very distinct looks. How challenging was it to conceptualize these looks?

We were thrilled to know that Kangana was playing the character of Payal as she is one of the most versatile actresses who is always ready to experiment and can fit into any given genre. So it was a challenge to put her character across as someone who she has never played before. From the time when Payal first meets Maddy, to their college graduation, to their live-in and so on, her character progresses through the film. Since she is playing an art school student, we wanted an element of Boho in her character. Her chunky hand accessories, bold tattoos, interesting rings and quirky mix-match of colors in her costumes were all a part of the distinct looks that became inevitable to her character. We also wanted exclusivity in her look, so most of her garments were stitched putting different fabrics together which were picked from local markets in Mumbai and Delhi. 

Though Kangana has lovely curls, we wanted to experiment with her hair as well.  Her Hair styling would at times take two-three hours and shoot call sheets were made keeping her looks in mind.

Payal is sporting many noticeable looks in the film, my personal favourite however are her introduction and graduation look from Sarphira song.

What about Imran's character? He plays the role of an architect student. What was the mood board like for his styling?

Imran’s character Maddy portrays a simple guy who loves everything he possesses in life. As an architecture student, we wanted to keep him in comfort clothing, like that of a casual college goer. He is sporting Cargos with full sleeves T-shirts and short kurtas in Ikkat weave, zippers and spectacles as his daily accessory. The fact that he is dating the coolest girl of college shows that he is not a complete nerd. In later part of the film his character progresses to be a working professional architect. This is where we wanted his styling to be more cool and urban, something that would be more influenced by Payal’s presence in his life. He is sporting chinos with linen shirts and open buttoned waist coats with leather sling bag.

Kangana Ranaut is such a style star in real life. Did she give any inputs for her character's styling?

As we all know that Kangana is a fashionista, we made sure to present Payals character to an utmost detail. During our first presentation to her, we saw her sitting down with her notebook jotting down all that interested her. When we finished, she was ready with a set of questions that she needed to be clear about Payal’s character.  Kangana wanted to be sure about our approach to her character of an art school student for which she requested videos/pictures of art school students around the world.  By the end of our discussion, she was impressed with all the detailing that went in building her character. Infact, during her first trials, she was so excited to see the complete line up of her garments, accessories and shoes that she wanted all of it to be packed and delivered to her house.

How would you describe Payal and Maddy's style in three words each?

Payal

1.       Boho

2.       Quirky

3.       Attractive

Maddy

1.      Casual

2.       Nerdy

3.       Street

How can our readers re-create a Payal's wardrobe on a budget? Any tips?

Being a costume designer I am not a very brand conscious person.

Whether it’s a dress picked from Hill Road or an evening gown from Valentino, it’s all about how ones personality can make it look amazing and attractive. I also believe in re-cycling of your existing wardrobe. You can use your existing T-shirts to create a style. Cut the sleeves, cut the length to make it a crop top or just give a side knot on your T-shirt, and team it with a long skirt or with denim shorts. To make it a little more interesting, you can add a layer of your old chequered shirt or a denim shirt. Team it with some chunky bracelets or a long chain with tassels and charms. And you are ready for a Boho inspired look.

You also have styled Shah Rukh Khan in ‘Raees’. What was the brief you had for it?

With the teaser out, everyone is aware that it’s a period film based in the 80s and Shah Rukh Khan’s character in Raees is of a small town businessman from Gujrat and the film is about his journey to make it big. Director Rahul Dholakia likes to see details and so his brief to me was to make Shah Rulh Khan look as menacing and rough as possible. I cannot reveal much about the film, so all I can say is that it’s an interesting story and it will be a treat for Shah Rukh Khan’s fans to see him in such a look and character.

Then you also have Airlift. Akshay plays a rich business man. What kind of wardrobe have you designed for him?

Air Lift is about human emotions with a backdrop of the Gulf War in 1990 which happened in Kuwait,biggest Human Evacuation in the History. It’s directed by Raja Krishna Menon. Keeping 90s and Middle East in mind we have tried to keep his look realistic. Being shown a rich businessman, he adorns double breasted suits and through the war time journey will be seen wearing Chinos, shirts, denim and denim shirts.

Akshay and Nimrat's first look was royal. What was your thought behind it?

As quoted above, we had to maintain the elite look of Middle East rich business class attending a high profile party.  Hence he is seen wearing an off white Jacquard suit with tan brogues. Keeping Nimrat on the similar lines, she looks stunning wearing the flowy Vine leaf color gown.