TV Wardrobes Go Expensive

With Bollywood A-listers being seen on TV as show hosts and judges, they ensure their look and wardrobe make headlines .

Whether it is Akshay Kumar flaunting a diamond and pearl studded sherwani for the special episode of "MasterChef India", Amitabh Bachchan's much-talked about look in "Kaun Banega Crorepati 4", or Salman Khan donning about seven looks in the " Bigg Boss 4" promo, it is evident where the focus is – the star and obviously his looks. While many would think these outfits would cost them a bomb, designers tell us it is all about getting the star's look and not necessarily the outfits they sport.

Explains designer Ravi Bajaj, who has designed Big B's wardrobe in "Kaun Banega Crorepati 4", "In the show, Amitabh Bachchan is not playing any character, but being himself. So before I began designing his wardrobe, I had to see what he is like in reality, which is a classic dresser. For KBC, I have taken few liberties with him. Amitabhji is usually seen sporting white shirt and a double breasted black suit. So I made sure I didn't give him any white shirt." Even though the suits that he has designed for Big B are "channel's property, which have already gone to the channel. I remember, at the show's press conference in Mumbai, he loved the suit that I was wearing and he instantly said, 'This is gorgeous, make me this.' I told him I will but it isn't camera friendly for it has small checks, which can get the picture pixilated. But I know I have to design that suit for him," he says.

And the red outfit that singer Sonu Niigaam has sported in the title song of "Chhote Ustaad" was presented to him as a gift. Monica Mehla Parmar from Sai Baba Telefilms says, "Yes, that outfit is a part of his wardrobe." But this doesn't hold true for every celebrity judge. For instance, Mehul, Shekhar Ravjiani's designer in "Sa Re Ga Ma Pa Singing Superstar" says the Shekhar has never accepted any of the outfits.

Ashley Rebello, who had designed Salman's outfits for "Dabangg", wasn't too keen on experimenting with Salman's look in "Bigg Boss 4". But why, wouldn't the viewers have loved a different Salman? "We have done that in "Dabangg" and the idea in the show is to have Salman the way he is. Hence, you find him sporting leather jackets, t-shirts that give him a grunge look and even if people want to buy, it wouldn't cost them a bomb," he says.

Where can a common man get the same look from? "What Amitabh Bachchan wears on the show is not a particular outfit but a look. One wouldn't get the same piece but the look is available. One could also go to popular brands which wouldn't burn a hole in the consumer's pocket. They can get suits that are much cheaper but have the same impact. Our suits start from Rs30,000, shirts from Rs5000, neckties from Rs3000, and that completes the look," says Ravi Bajaj.

Monica explains the factors that determine the cost of a celebrity's outfit. "The cost varies, depending on the silhouette and the embellishments used. So the price could also range between one or two lacs, or could be as low as Rs 40,000 per costume of the judge. For instance, what Rahatji and Sonu had worn in the final episode of "Chhote Ustaad" were the most expensive outfits of the show for the price was about over Rs 80,000 and both the judges had to change twice," she says. While the sherwani which Akshay Kumar wore to meet ruler of Udaipur, Sriji Arvind Mewar was worth Rs 17 lakh, the actor's outfits in "MasterChef India" ranges from designer wear to top brands like Armani and personal stuff, for which, as many can guess, one has to shell out money.

Source: http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/tv-/TV-wardrobes-go-expensive/articleshow/6787251.cms