Telly's role as a model'

It is not always drama, reality shows and thrilling programmes that attract the audience’s attention! In today’s world, television is more than just a form of entertainment. It has become a trendsetter when it comes to fashion. After movies, it is certainly the small screen that has been playing the ‘role of a model.’ It is highly unimaginable for small screen characters to look ordinary, unless their role specifically demands it for a particular genre of shows. Almost everything is made to look larger than life. Numerous characters, irrespective of gender are always well groomed, and in tip- top condition even when they are sleeping or busy with daily chores, fighting, arguing and even when they are sick and admitted in hospital! Bengaluru Chronicle reports on the small screen fashion world and how it dictates trends.

“Great costumes can create connections between characters. While you can do a serial or movie without costumes, it really makes the whole experience boring! Characters are really developed visually for the audiences thanks to their costume. They also help tell their own story. They help change perceptions of a character. They play with colour psychology. As an actor, putting on a costume is that final thing you need to really become a character. Often, it doesn’t feel real until the costume is put on. For some, it isn’t until you switch off the serial, that the show leaves you for a while,” says Laxmi Krishna, a celebrity and costume designer and as well as stylist in the Kannada and Tamil film industry.

The designer with a degree from London, who has signed 16 movies, feels that one can do serials and movies without lighting and without a set, but doing a show without costumes is a colourless experience. 

According to the designer, clothes speak and help to define a character. It is the same as designing for a real life wedding when you are dressing multiple members of a family/attendees, keeping in mind their physicality and personality for the event.

For instance, actress Akanksha says that the character of Sitara played by Sujatha Akshaya is closely followed by many. “While the character is of a strong lady who has control over many things, it is also popular for the costumes. The audience watches every minor detail from the earrings, to the latest outfit. Soon the style is copied and imitated by the audience. It creates a special connection,” she adds.

For director Santhosh, in the Kannada industry, especially when it comes to serials artists, they are usually asked to bring their costumes as per their character, and hence there might be many things that are overlooked by the artist. It’s only their acting skills that bring life to a character, as the concentration is not on costumes unless it’s a mythological serial.