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Made in Mohenjo Daro?

For fashion designer Anju Modi, the character of Chaani could be the portrayal of a heavenly diva, imagined by someone in the film.

Actress Pooja Hegde recently shared the first look of her character Chaani from Mohenjo Daro, an upcoming adventure-romance Bollywood film set in the historic ancient city of Mohenjo-daro, during the era of the Indus Valley civilisation. Directed by Ashutosh Gowariker, the film also stars Hrithik Roshan in the lead role. In the picture, Pooja is seen decked in bejewelled headgear and a royal blue and red costume designed by April Ferry, known for her work in the Game of Thrones series. The costume is receiving mixed responses; while some are calling it regal there are others dismissing it saying it is ‘over-the-top’ and a ‘poor costume choice’ for a period drama, not resonating with the era being depicted.

For fashion designer Anju Modi, the character of Chaani could be the portrayal of a heavenly diva, imagined by someone in the film. She says, “Mohenjo Daro is such an old civilisation, and it was very raw and primitive in its aesthetics. When we look at the excavations from that site, they are entirely different from what is being depicted in this particular look. But, we don’t know the context in which this look appears in the movie. There is a possibility that somebody in that era is imagining some heavenly diva. The whole attire is very modern, and I can’t understand if it is an imaginary or real life character. One can’t criticise the director’s vision without knowing the context of the film, and it is something that one can figure out only after having watched the movie.

Going by the name of the film, Mohenjo Daro, one would expect the first look to be very true to the essence of the film and imagine the protagonist to be dressed in something that is very raw, rustic, basic and handmade considering the era it is set in.

When we see rustic movies of the yester years like Mother India, we get a sense of realism and the era of the Indus Valley civilisation was way before that, so this kind of look? At the same time, let’s give the director a benefit of doubt and wait till the real plot and setting of the film are revealed.”

Scoffing at the look, ace designer Ritu Kumar puts it very succinctly, saying, “We are talking of 3000-4000 BC, for heaven’s sake! I think it simply needs no comment.”

( Source : Deccan Chronicle. )
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