NEW DELHI: Ranveer Singh and Shahid Kapoor’s characters in Sanjay Leela Bhansali’s upcoming film ‘Padmavati’ have already left everyone spellbound and waiting for more.
Designer duo Vipul Amar and psychologist Harsheen Arora joined forces to create looks for the actors in the magnum-opus.
After making Sushant Singh Rajput look like a fitting warrior in ‘Raabta’, Delhi-based design house ‘The V Renaissance’ has once again showcased their design proficiency in the most-awaited film of the year.
“They first approached us to create one look for Ranveer’s earlier battles in the film and then, they also asked us to create the armour for Shahid’s final battle. After Bhansali saw these armours, he loved them so much that he then asked us to create one for Khilji’s final battle as well,” says Vipul.
In fact, the armour for the final battle was revealed to them on Bhansali’s birthday and going by his reaction, it was the ideal birthday surprise for him.
These armours are a result of back-breaking research not only in terms of their authenticity but also the functionality. The duo consulted an engineer to confirm the robotics incorporated in the armours.
Accompanying historical and functional research, the construction of the armours also comprises of Harsheen’s expertise of psychological analysis of the characters being portrayed by Shahid and Ranveer as actors along with Bhansali’s vision of his characters.
Ratan Singh is an embodiment of love and patriotism while Allaudin Khilji embodies conquest and invasion. Interestingly, even though the same materials have been used in their armours, they have been treated differently to depict their opposing personalities.
Both the characters are so strong and contrasting that the challenges, while designing for both, cannot be compared. The techniques used in armours for both of them vary drastically.
Harsheen says, “Once I was able to get into the psyche of Maharawal Ratan Singh it helped in bringing elements to his armour that represent nobility and honour. Even the colours used for Shahid’s armour show just that. The blood red depicts honour, love, and eagerness to serve one’s land and the deep gold stands for courage, generosity and passion.”
Not only that, the design elements in the ‘Rangoon’ star’s armour are inspired by the sun rays and the chest-plate is coloured like the Rajputana soil at different times of the day.
On the other hand, Allaudin Khilji’s armour represents the Sultan that he envisioned himself as.
“The leather lions on his shoulders show his strong-headedness. The lions have been chiselled and hammered to bring into form - as part of the technique which is also symbolic to Khilji’s conquest. Also, the darkness of the character has been enhanced by engraving reptile scales on the lion heads,” says Harsheen.
Also starring Deepika Padukone, ‘Padmavati’ hits the big screens on December 1.