Friday, December 24, 2010

Guzaarish - Poetry in motion...

I would reserve my opinion on Guzaarish as a film. I don’t think I am qualified to pass judgment on a movie made with such love and passion. But if one thing that the movie’s worst critic cannot refute is that Sanjay Leela Bhansali’s film is visual poetry at its dreamiest best. Every frame is surreal and memorable, leaving you in awe of the overall styling and art direction. Sabyasachi Mukherjee created the entire wardrobe ensemble for Guzaarish, giving Hrithik Roshan rose-coloured glasses, and created decadent, floor-sweeping garments for Aishwarya Rai Bachchan’s character.
A solitary rose in Aishwarya’s long locks and a scarf around her head, create an ethereal old world glamour. Aishwarya Rai's character Sophia D'Souza over-dresses to overcome her bad marriage. Aishwarya’s look consisted of thirty-seven long frocks, four dumpy shoes, maxis, aprons with motifs of cutlery, quirky glasses and jewellery, surreal hairdos and red lips. She even makes her water bottle wear a jacket that she has made herself. Sophia uses her red lips as a weapon and not as an accessory, but as an expression of her grief. She's a woman who has dedicated her entire life to a suffering man. And she wears that red lipstick so that when he faces her, he sees life in all its colour."
Sabyasachi also designed jewellery for Guzaarish, keeping in mind a multicultural element with a nomadic vibe. For the collection, Sabyasachi used precious and semi-precious stones, minakari and filigree and had to work with about 60 skilled workers from West Bengal to complete the line. The attention to detail was extended to other characters as well. Omar Siddique played by Aditya Roy Kapoor was styled like a struggling French musician, with layered clothes, a crumpled tuxedo with flappy trousers and flip-flops. Suhel Seth, who plays Ethan's doctor, is presented in stiff suits and Shernaz Patel, Ethan's lawyer is given cotton saris and three-quarter blouses. The maids are in dumpy dresses. In line with the theatrical mood of the film, the clothes have an inherent spirit of drama, and are an extension of the characters. According to Sabyasachi, “If you remove the characters and hang the clothes, they will tell a story. It’s like Neverland or the reality version of The Magic Faraway Tree!”

I know I would watch Guzaarish again and again... for the performances and for the styling. Try and watch it. It's worth every luscious, sensuous frame.