Friday 16 December 2011

Niharika on styling Vidya for The Dirty Picture

Quick popularity and a lot of attention for styling Vidya Balan in The Dirty Picture notwithstanding, the quirky Niharika Khan is not sure whether films are her calling It's all Vidya's dedication. Had she not trusted me, I would not have been able to create all these clothes You can style the whole world, but not your husband," mock-complains Niharika Khan. Ayub Khan has chosen to change out of the outfit suggested by his film stylist wife into something more formal for the evening out. Though Niharika doesn't mind it, she won't miss the opportunity to tease her husband. Her styling, however, is currently at the centre of all attention, converted into household chatter by Vidya Balan's Silk Smitha avatar in The Dirty Picture. The stylist has brought back from the 1980s, the over-the-top apsara outfits, Egyptian-style dresses, multi-coloured printed shirts and outdated gipsy skirts. But she refuses to take the sole credit. "It's all Vidya's dedication. Had she not trusted me, I would not have been able to create all these clothes," she asserts. Spunky, chatty and candid, Niharika is known for her work as well as her quirks - coloured hair, multiple tattoos and piercings. Seated in the "favourite room" of her Mumbai residence, a study done up in colourful upholstery, the 42-year-old - who made her debut in the film industry four years back with Sudhir Mishra's Khoya Khoya Chand - chooses to term the sudden fame "scary" and her career as a film stylist "a fluke". With an actor for a husband, designer and stylist Arjun Khanna for a brother and director Zoya Akhtar and casting director Shanoo Sharma for friends, Niharika was always connected to the film industry. Yet, turning into a stylist had never been a choice. Instead, the Jamshedpur girl chose to study human resources in the US, then trying her hands at public relations, a corporate job in Tanishq and a more creative one in Disney, before finally taking up childhood passion for jewellery full-time. She launched the multi-brand store Purple Porcupine in Bandra in 2003. The eclectic jewellery became popular, but the venture was short-lived. "I am a terrible businesswoman," she says. Then her friend, Sameer Sharma (ready to make his directorial debut with Anurag Kashyap-produced Luv Shuv Tey Chicken Khurana) "tricked" her into meeting Sudhir Mishra, who asked her to style his period film. "I thought everyone has lost their mind, probably wanting to hire me because they couldn't get my brother to do it," she recounts, animatedly. Eventually it was Arjun who convinced her to give it a shot. The first call she received after Khoya Khoya Chand released, was from Zoya Akhtar, who laughed at her special appearance in the film (Niharika was forced to do one scene in the film) but didn't even comment on her real work. "So I presumed I had done a horrible job. But then Rock On!! was offered to me," says Niharika. She also bagged Excel Entertainment's next, Karthik Calling Karthik. Though Band Baaja Baaraat gave her the first taste of fame, Delhi Belly remains Niharika's favourite project. The Elvis Presley outfit that Aamir Khan wore for the song I Hate You, Like I Love You also brought the stylist the deserved acclaim. Niharika makes it clear that she is not doing films only to make money. Not one to ride the high horse of fame, she does not mind approaching filmmakers she likes. "After Band Baaja Baraat, I wanted to do a dark film. I left messages for Deepa Mehta at her office, but didn't hear from her. I approached Imtiaz Ali for Rockstar, but that didn't work out either," she confesses. That is when she was approached for The Dirty Picture and the film has been a fulfilling experience for her. With her feet wet, she is not scared of voicing her opinion. She enjoys playing stylist, but not one to play by the rules, she is unsure whether films are her calling. "If it stops exciting me, I'll find something else to do. But my solace will always be my passion for designing silver jewellery," she says. Screen India


Niharika on styling Vidya for The Dirty Picture video

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