In an exclusive backstage chat before she walks the ramp at the ongoing Lakme Fashion Week, actress Lara Dutta tells Shweta Shiware it's a waste expecting Indian guys to dress stylish, and why Sush topples Ash in the style chart. Plus a wrap-up of the finale.
The backstage recesses of the show area is simmering with activity just before Raakesh Agarvwal's show, manifesting itself in an unsettling quiet before a stylish storm breaks through. Actress Lara Dutta walks in nonchalantly, and on time.
She seets herself down to get her make-up and hair done, looking comfortable in a worn-out Ed Hardy tee, ripped jeans and animal print wedges. She juggles two phones - an iPhone and a Blackberry - alligning them on the dressing table to match her line of vision.
Fashion has been a familiar playground, she admits, with international supermodels Naomi Campbell and Linda Evangelista, and Indian counterparts Madhu Sapre and Mehr Jesia inspiring the little Lara to preen like a model in family photographs. "I understood couture as early as 10, " she smiles before getting ready to take our volley of questions. "Shoot."
Who is the most stylish beauty pageant winner - Priyanka Chopra, Aishwarya Rai or Sushmita Sen?Sushmita, of course. I appreciate her personal style. She doesn't believe in sticking to rules.
And what's Lara's personal style?It depends on my mood. I am inspired by the classic styles of the 1920s, 40s and 50s. But I am not a fashion victim. I invest in pieces that stay relevant irrespective of cyclical trends.
Which designers sit in your wardrobe?Shahab Durazi, Tarun Tahiliani and Raakesh Agarvwal. Among the international lot, if I am feeling young, it's Dolce & Gabbana and Roberto Cavalli. For classic styles, it's Armani and Valentino.
How long do you take to get ready?
If I am not walking the ramp or a red carpet, not more than 30 minutes. And that includes hair, make-up and dressing up.
Indian designers are taking an active interest in styling Bollywood films. Has style overridden substance?My experience in modelling has helped me in Bollywood, as far as confidence with clothes is concerned. With Bunty aur Babli, Aki Narula changed the way masses dressed.
In Tashan, each character was individually styled, and the trailers looked fabulous. But the film didn't do well. A huge PR machinery was at work to promote Bebo's shoes in Kambakkht Ishq.
I've worn an expensive Alexander McQueen dress in my next release, Houseful, for all of 30 seconds. Producers understand the needs of global viewers.
They know that the audience won't go, "Kya pehna hai!" after looking at a fashionable outfit. If they (producers) are spending lakhs on outfits and accessories, they will make sure it's all publicised.
Who makes it to the most stylish Bollywood stars list?
Sonam Kapoor makes an effort to look fashionable. I like that about her. Among men, it's Shahrukh Khan and Hrithik Roshan. They have an inherent sense of style.
Do you think Indian men need to make an attempt to dress more stylish?Men don't really believe in taking chances. They are a boring lot (laughs).
Actors who walk for designers are handsomely paid...I haven't charged a dime for this show. I have done it because I genuinely like Raakesh's clothes - they are avant-garde and cutting edge. Else, I walk for friends. It takes me back to my modelling days (winks).
Any fashion fetish?I have one, a really bad shoe fetish. I can't divulge how many pairs I have. Easily over 100. Shoes matter. What sort, doesn't. So, I have everything from Kolhapuri chappals to Louboutins.
Bollywood actress Deepika Padukone has been chosen as the "tattoo queen" by the organisers of the first Tattoo Convention in India. The 25-year-old star sports tattoos of her former boyfriend's initials and another one of an anklet. After watching her in a remixed song in the upcoming film Dum Maaro Dum, IndiaInk Invention got in touch with the model-turned-actress and requested her to visit their first-ever convention. They were keen on her presence at the expo as they consider the Om Shanti Om actress to be the "tattoo queen". However, the actress could not attend the convention as she was abroad for a film shoot. With her own much-written about RK tattoo at the base of her neck and the cutting-edge Dum Maaro Dum tattoo she's seen sporting in the movie, she would have been the perfect ambassador for this tattoo expo. As Deepika was shooting in London for Desi Boyz, she could not attend the event, but forwarded the invitation to her Dum Maaro Dum team. Abhishek Bachchan, Prateik and Rohan Sippy attended the convention instead.
If you can't make it big in films, or find a man to settle down with, turn to production. That has been the mantra for most Bollywood ladies lately. Sushmita Sen was the first to venture this way. Although her dream production, a film on Jhansi Ki Rani Laxmibai couldn't take off from the planning stage, she paved the way for others. The latest addition to the list, however, is the Kaho Naa Pyaar Hai girl Amisha Patel. The actress has planned a big bash over the weekend for her friends and relatives wherein she will announce the launch of her production house, Amisha Patel Productions. She, of course will not be doing this alone. Her friend Kunal who has been keeping her company at many social events including Shilpa Shetty's bash, Imran Khan's wedding reception and the New Year celebrations in Dubai, will be the partner. Explaining how Amisha turn producer, a source added, "Amisha has a lot of interesting content which she wants to convert into films. Very soon, she shall be appointing a team full of promising and accomplished directors to start making movies for her."
Salman Khan’s upcoming film Ready sees him acting in his typical Dabangg style and the filmmakers admit that they are trying to cash in on the superstar’s image of Chulbul Pandey which made fans go gaga over him.
Amrita Rao donning a bold avatar in the Bollywood movie Short Kut had astounded many. However the actress, who is best recognized for portraying the image of a traditional Indian girl on the silver screen, claims that she is not going for a complete change. The 29-year old actress says that she has no uncertainties in portraying characters that have a variety of shades and her celluloid-image depends on the type of roles that she bags.
For years, whenever one heard of 'Dum Maaro Dum', one would recollect the hippy looking Zeenat Aman singing the famous track from the super hit film Hare Rama Hare Krishna. Circa 2011... today when one hears Dum Maaro Dum, there are so many first that comes to the person's mind. On one hand, there's Deepika and her booty-licious body that gyrates to the groovy track, followed by controversies galore!
