A perfect recipe for a remarkable movie lies in a gripping storyline, an ensemble cast with excellent performances and the extraordinary touch of a visionary director. Apart from these core elements laying the foundation, a film’s success hinges on finer details, ensuring it profoundly resonates with the audience.
The scenario slightly shifts while creating a period film as the journey begins with extensive research, exploring every nuance of that timeline it seeks to showcase. From majestic sets to meticulously composed background scores to in-depth study of the character or the dialogues, every aspect is connected with accurate research conducted by the crew. However, there is one pivotal feature every period drama brings together the entire storyline – extravagant customs and jewellery that resonate with the period, flawlessly portraying the particular role.
Though every period film created in cinema’s history made an undeniable impression on the audience, particular movies capture our attention for their excellent costume design. We have created a checklist that brings the most extravagant period films that were known to breathe life into their characters with their outstanding outfits.
Jodhaa Akbar
A magnum opus masterpiece directed by Ashutosh Gowariker had set a benchmark for other filmmakers when it came to creating historical movies. The film narrates the story of the Mughal Emporer Akbar and his Rajput wife, Jodhaa Bai (played by Hrithik Roshan and Aishwarya Rai Bachchan). Regarding the movie’s costumes, designer Neeta Lulla meticulously researched the clothes and jewellery worn during 16th century India, ensuring every detail was historically accurate. From the male lead’s elaborately zardozi-embroidered royal jamas to Aishwarya’s heavily embroidered lehengas, paired with Kundan-encrusted jewellery, the designer and her team spared no loopholes in perfecting every detail for the movie.
Bajirao Mastani
Certain directors create films, while Sanjay Leela Bhansali transcends this by developing cinematic experiences through his excellent storytelling skills, exuding grandeur. When Bajirao Mastani was released in 2015, the audience did not just appreciate the film for its marvellous cinematography but for its breathtaking and flawless costumes. Be it Priyanka Chopra’s regal Paithani sarees and jewellery highlighting Kashi Bai’s Maratha heritage to Deepika’s wardrobe showcasing Mastani’s Mughal influences, all credit goes to Anju Modi and her extraordinary team, who ensured all sartorial creations were a breathing artwork on screen.
Bahubali Part 1 and 2
Moving beyond Bollywood, it’s impossible to ignore the cinematic phenomena that reshaped Indian cinema’s landscape and created history around the globe – Bahubali: The Beginning and Bahubali: The Conclusion. Helmed by the legendary filmmaker Rajamouli, the film came across as the most expensive and ambitious project of his career, showcasing his excellence in creating a unique masterpiece. Known for his eye for detailing, Rajamouli oversaw every aspect of the film, from the plot to acting and from music to costumes. The film’s opulent wardrobe owes its brilliance to the director’s better half, the film’s costume designer, Rama Rajamouli, and Prashanti Tipirneni, who understood his vision and crafted pieces that perfectly aligned with the story.
Ponniyin Selvan: Part 1 and 2
With an unthinkable splendour, Mani Ratnam’s magnum opus etched itself on the audience’s mind with its extravagance, thanks to the costumes and jewellery that adorned the stellar cast, adding to its timeless appeal. Staying true to the film’s plot set in 12th-century southern India, stylist Eka Lakshmi used Kanjivaram Silks extensively, dyed using natural ingredients similar to the period. The cast wore traditional temple jewellery, helmed by Pratiksha Prashant, the creative director of Kishandas and Co., who ensured that each piece was visually striking and deeply resonant with the individuality of each character.
Padmaavat
Sanjay Leela Bhansali might have faced numerous challenges while making this celluloid masterpiece, but everything came together when the film was released. The film talks about 13th-century Rajput Queen Padmavati, whose immense beauty brought the ruthless Alauddin Khilji to the doorsteps of Chittorgarh. The talented duo Rimple and Harpreet crafted the costumes, who have also lent their expertise in projects like Bhool Bhulaiya 2, Housefull 4 and their very recent project, Heeramandi, also helmed by the genius. The major challenge was to show the distinction between two cultures yet complement each other when coming together in one frame, and the designer’s love for vintage textiles and form helped them navigate through the process of creating jaw-dropping masterpieces.
In period dramas, costumes and jewellery contribute significantly, silently yet powerfully, shaping the audience’s perception and helping them connect with the ongoing narrative. As the designers are ready to push their limits and break the barriers to create out-of-the-world outfits, they also serve as a huge inspiration for today’s fashion-forward generation looking to embrace heritage-inspired pieces for their special days and festive occasions. Filmmakers might make period films worldwide in future, but if we look at period films created in Indian cinema, these five names would be on every movie lover’s list.