Learn in 5 minutesnew delhiJuly 18, 2026 9:00 PM IST
It has been over 20 years since Sanjay Leela Bhansali’s dying. Devdas Neeta Lulla, costume designer for the movie, which turned one of the crucial well-known visible spectacles in Indian cinema, reveals the craftsmanship and artistic imaginative and prescient behind Aishwarya Rai Bachchan’s iconic sarees within the movie, together with the unforgettable blue and inexperienced curtains.
Talking of costumes, HowterflyLula stated each element, from cloth choice to embroidery and even petticoats, was rigorously deliberate to enrich the filmmakers’ grand cinematic imaginative and prescient whereas guaranteeing practicality throughout filming.
Aishwarya Rai’s Devdas Royal Blue Silk Saree
Recalling Aishwarya’s royal blue saree, Lulla revealed that it was made utilizing uncommon spun yarn. silk cloth It’s not accessible. “The material I used to be utilizing is known as spun silk, which isn’t accessible anymore. The petticoat of this saree can also be fabricated from brocade. That is fabricated from jamawar brocade in case Aishwarya is operating or doing any exercise and the saree rises,” she stated.
Aishwarya Rai in DevdasThe sari itself was almost 10 meters lengthy, however was pre-pleated to permit for simple costume modifications on set. “The saree is about 10 meters lengthy, however it’s absolutely plated in order that she will put it on inside three to 4 seconds. The embroidery you see is all Zardoli Dhaka, with wool work and silk, inlaid with pearls on an ivory base, making a classic look,” Lulla defined.
She credit Bhansali’s epic storytelling with inspiring the frilly costume designs. “Thanks Sanjay Leela Bhansali and his imaginative and prescient for his generosity,” stated the famend designer.
Aishwarya Rai’s inexperienced saree with Devdas impressed by Dhakai motifs
Lula additionally shared particulars in regards to the inexperienced saree that Aishwarya wore earlier than the enduring ‘Dola Re Dola’ sequence. Talking about it, she revealed that the embroidery is impressed by conventional Dhakai motifs.
“The embroidery is a Dhakai sari motif, and the shirt is completed with mesh on high of one other silk cloth, zardoli,” she stated.
Aishwarya Rai in a inexperienced saree designed by Neeta Lulla
She defined that when designing costumes, not solely magnificence but in addition practicality is necessary. “The thought course of behind it was to not waste time draping the sari. When you discover this blue sari is the place she’s sitting, the background is mosque inexperienced and it is all heat gentle,” Lulla added.
Explaining the inventive intention behind the blue drapes, Lulla stated that whereas retaining Bhansali’s trademark grandeur, it captures the dignity and energy of a married lady, as embodied by Aishwarya’s character Paro.
“This was one thing that occurred simply earlier than White and Purple. So we wished the solidity and boldness of a married lady coming to the temple and confronting one other lady. We wanted grandeur, and we would have liked a method and vibrancy that made it conventional however on the similar time a lot bigger than life,” she stated.
Lula additionally revealed that the costume took months to analysis and create. She traveled to Kolkata to study weaving.
“It took about six months. I went to Kolkata and researched what sort of cloth cycle to make use of, as a result of I used to be dressing all the ladies for Devdas. Every one needed to be totally different. There have been additionally classes the place Sanjay would come to my home,” she stated.
Aishwarya Rai’s yellow saree at Cannes
Lula additionally mirrored on one other collaboration with Aishwarya, which turned iconic after its debut on the 2002 Cannes Movie Competition. The actor walked the pink carpet alongside Shah Rukh Khan and Bhansali in a placing yellow saree designed by Rula in the course of the worldwide premiere of Devdas.
Aishwarya Rai makes Cannes debut
Explaining the inspiration behind the now iconic look, Lula stated the thought was to introduce India’s textile heritage to the world stage.
“The concept was to convey India to Cannes for the primary time. It was about making an iconic sari. We took the essence of our embroidery custom and used Dhakai Banarasi internet to make that sari. This truly got here from Devdas. “We created some spectacular drapes that I do not suppose Western media has ever seen earlier than, and we used conventional gold jewellery as an alternative of a number of diamonds. It was quite simple Indian, however very beautiful,” she stated.
