Costume designer Amrita Ram has always done Kamal Haasan’s unconventional form in ‘Thug Jeevan’ Ram: ‘He has always done what he does not do to others’ – Exclusive. Tamil film news

Costume designer Amrita Ram has worked with Kamal Haasan on many projects, but the thugs directed by the famous Mani Ratnam – like another like a creative journey. In this special chat with ETIMES, he opened up about the construction of a wardrobe levels for Kamal’s complex character, worked closely with Mani Ratnam’s exact vision, and the film’s aesthetics stands apart from the specific commercial fare. Part …What was the most exciting challenge about designing for Kamal Haasan in thug life under the direction of Mani Ratnam?The answer to the question is in the question itself. These are just two names. The whole idea of ​​working in a film with these two names is the most exciting part. This cannot just be better.Was there specific motivations or statement directing your designs?Yes, motivations – a lot. The guidance was very good. Mani Sir directed me in full way and I think he really knew what he wanted. He had a specific aesthetics in his mind, and with it, it was just so easy. This beauty is something I like. So once you watch the film, you will know that this is something that we have never done before – nothing really does – because it is a little away from the main actor or hero’s cloth regularly commercially. So Mani leaves the sir to go to that way, and Kamal salutes the sir. Of course, they have always done what others do not do, and it will definitely be one of them.Can you share information about how Kamal Haasan’s character’s wardrobe developed throughout the film? How did you ensure that the costumes reflect his character’s journey?So with this film, I had three different stages of his character, and each stage was very clear. The first was a very young form – it was the form of the 90s. So we focused on tone and everything, and it turned out to work well.The second and third look was very important. You go as a middle -aged middle age group from young eyes where he lives in Delhi. We saw what a thug usually wear in Delhi. Mani sir was very clear about keeping it at least-about more exhalation or adding too much. He said that Kamal Sir’s character speaks for himself. He is an actor that needs to be kept absolutely minimal.So we added a signature watch. Next, digital watches were really fashionable and were easily available in black markets and markets, so we gave them a capsule digital watch – which you will see in another look. Initially, he wears a gold watch that he gives a gift to Mr. Simbu. Then, after coming back from jail, we go with a digital watch and a very simple, understood. Not regularly, but something similar – we kept it very simple and clean.Everything else is what you see – it fell into all places. The color straps were designed to be very neutral – white, beige, brown – and of course, midnight blue and black. We used warm and cool tones for that particular form, and went with it. Mani sir also told me how he wanted everything else to look different from the clothes.How Mani Sir works – for the first time I come with a costume board, then we sit together and work on it. He chooses what he wants, and then we move forward and make everything. Then we have a test day – which is more than just one test day. This is a day when we finalize the look. We try everything on Kamal Sir, Mani Sir takes pictures, and then we shortlists. There may be another round, or we can finish it there. By the time we reach the shooting, we know what we want. Auditions and improvements are always there, but most of it sets – and if we need to do something extra, we know what can happen.Three see the journey of character fully follows. He is in Nepal, untouched -his beard becomes large and wider. He increases his hair long and texture. We tried hard with hair. For beauty, we saw what comes from Nepal. It was to be understood but was very relaxed.I again prepared a board, and the head went through it. We had two days of shooting for this look. On the first day, we created a set of outfits, tried them, and then the director chose a bunch. We did more work on them. For this look, we decided “no color” – you will see green and black, and it is about it. It was to reflect the mentality of the character.We focus on another detail: for a person living in Delhi, who has always worn simple suits -shirts and trousers since his young age – to move to this look, we didn’t want anything stylish. We wanted something suitable. Even the film has a dialogue where his wife says, “Oh my God, is it new? Have you taken all this for me? It looks like a dress for a film.” How deep it is woven. Everything fell into place. This was a great process for me.After working extensively with Kamal Haasan in various projects, how will you describe your experience?Working with Kamal sir – at risk of repeating yourself – a complete learning experience. He knows a lot about everything. Again, I am repeating myself – he knows everything about clothes, textures, dyeing techniques, everything.If someone is brief, he will give you a lot of input because he has done a lot. There is nothing that he has not done – in the context of very fancy costumes for very realistic people. He has done everything. So working with him is a learning experience where you keep correcting, and he keeps on improving. You keep learning from time to time, and learning simply keeps growing. This is a wonderful experience that I will always cherish.With the recent controversy around Kamal Haasan’s comments, do you think the noise has attracted attention from the film’s scenes and your creative work?As a person who does purely creative work, I do not think anything outside my area. Once we complete our work, we become. The rest of the team is dependent on the team to take them forward. I know that this is a team that emphasizes everyone’s work. So I have nothing to say about it – I don’t think it intervenes with us or interfere with what we do to get out of it.Have you received any direct response from audiences or cultural comments about costumes in thugs life, especially in the context of ongoing debate?From publicity to trailer release, people liked beauty. He thought that it was something new – a fresh scene that was not seen earlier. So I have only received appreciation, and I don’t think it is just worrying anything other than film and look. Yes, I have received a lot of praise, and I am very grateful for the film.