Kamal Haasan is a Trendsetter, says costume designer Amritha Ram

Q: You have worked with legendary actors like Kamal Haasan. What’s it like collaborating with such icons, and how do you ensure their vision is brought to life through your designs?

Well, as much as it’s exciting, I wouldn’t say it’s nerve-racking, but you need to be extremely careful about what you do, how you do it, and what you take to them. Of course, when you meet him (Kamal), you cannot talk much; words become very few, and then you just hear what he has to say. You leave with a hundred questions and blame yourself for not having asked those questions. Especially for a person who talks as much as I do, I was absolutely dumbstruck. So, I didn’t have too much of a brief. But as a huge fan of Kamal and following his fashion through all the films he has done, what I understood was that he is somebody who’s always open to experimenting with anything, as long as there is a reason behind it and it works for him.

So what I did was experiment with various looks, from contemporary to modern to classic, for ‘Vishwaroopam’ promotions. Fortunately, it turned out well. You just need to be very careful because he knows everything. Working with him over the years, I understood he likes you to question yourself on whatever you are doing and if you can find the answer.

Q: You have showcased your versatility in movies like Kalki 2898 AD, Indian 2, and Thug Life. How do you approach each project differently?

It is so easy with someone like Haasan and directors like Nag Ashwin and, of course, Mani Ratnam, the master himself. When it comes to putting a look together, a costume designer is a tool that brings out the visions of the director, the actor, the cinematographer, and everyone involved.

When you work with such masters, all you have to do is be a dedicated follower. Follow what they say, pay attention to their few words. It’s a very creative process. You need to be ready to change things and adapt to the change with the limited time that’s allowed to you. Nobody takes no for an answer. So, I try my best to be put together in terms of my work and try and do my research, before I present a look. Then I take inputs and create the final look.

I would probably refer to one film that’s already released and a non-filmy project, a reality show. For the non-filmy project, it’s Bigg Boss. Working with Kamal Haasan sir, who has represented various decades of fashion through his films and characters, was incredible. He has always brought in and created trends, from the leather jacket to the newsboy caps to the disco period. Every time Haasan does something, it creates a trend.

When it comes to films, I would say Vada Chennai. Every part of it was very cool, but I especially enjoyed the 90s segment. The 70s and 80s had been portrayed in a lot of films, but the 90s was a challenge because it was an intermediate period where fashions kept changing, and people of different age groups wore different stuff. So, I really enjoyed that process.

Working with experienced professionals like Kamal Haasan provides invaluable guidance and multiple perspectives, enriching the creative process. The collaborative effort with talented masters and the dynamic environment ensures that each costume is crafted to perfection, reflecting the character’s essence and the director’s vision.