Styling the Stars

Loads of Attitude! That's the style mantra of the hip and happening stars on television.

They have got spunk and style; they set trends and then, go about re-setting them. Take Priya Wal, who plays Anvesha in Star One's Remix for instance---her "chillax" attitude is complemented by her sporty, no nonsense look. She sports red bangs and chunky belts with keds and floaters. The stylist of the show, Tanya, has also given her well cut out feminine jeans to offset the tomboyish feel to her character.

"Anvesha is the spirit of rebellion, brought to life", is how Srishti Behl-Arya, the producer of the show, describes this girl who personifies the "wear your attitude" look. This "look" that makes each character different and unique is what makes watching serials interesting. This is one of the reasons why Ekta Kapoor insisted on an image makeover for Akashdeep Saigal, who played Ansh, in Star Plus's popular serial Kyunki…, for his part in Sony's Kkusum as Trishul.

"People will associate me with Ansh no doubt; that's why as Trishul I have to appear distinct from Ansh," says Saigal, who gets a great kick when he sees collegians following the "Ansh hairstyle".

Trishul is very different from Ansh. He is no longer the conniving villain; he is calm, yet calculating. He has parted ways with his unshaven look and his ponytail. Akashdeep now has a clean-shaven look, his hair, which has been straightened, is jet black and dangling earrings have replaced the studs. He has also been made to wear a pair of glares. This makeover is in tune with the positive nature of the character that he is playing. But sometimes the twists in the scripts of the serials demand a change in image---like the one in Shama Sikander's character, Pooja, in Sony's Yeh Meri Life Hai.

The girl from an ordinary Gujarati household, speaking English with an odd accent, has slowly but steadily emerged as smarter and trendier. Her wardrobe has metamorphosed from ordinary to the subtly stylish. The ordinary salwar suits being exchanged for elegantly embroidered ones; she has been given accessories to match, says Madhavi, who oversees

Pooja's look at Optimystix, the production house. Overall, a lot of colours have been added to her look --- which basically says, "I have arrived, watch out for me!" Her diction has also improved and so has her attitude towards life, but her refrains like, "Oh God kar de mere problem ka end", have not changed, and this is what makes Pooja's transition believable.

Take for example the "boys" in Kabhi Haan Kabhi Naa, they have a completely metrosexual look, complete with the corresponding attitudes and fundas that are expected of them --- ironically, the one thing that is constant in this serial is the continuous change in the female leads, all of whom look glamorous and ready for a fling! Which is why the styling of the females on the show doesn't worry Shrishti Arya, who produces KHKN as well.
"Making a reel life character believable is the greatest challenge faced by any creator. We did not want Anvesha's lingo to stick out like a sore thumb. Her choice of words has to be in tune with the language of the teens of today, otherwise the serial will fall flat", says Shrishti, who, along with her team, has made a 200 word dictionary for her serial, Remix, aired on Star One.

Another aspect of television that has caught the attention of the viewers is the image makeovers of the contestants of 'Indian Idol'. A lot of padding (most of them were very thin, says Rishika, the stylist of the show), gelled hair, spiked locks, trendy T-shirts, kurtas, and a little bit of advice on stage antics seems to have done the trick! This is not all, the stylings of these contestants also include their overall grooming---so you see the reticent Amit Sana jiving on stage with ease, and the underdog, Abhijeet, wooing the audience with his charm. This is what a little bit of styling can do! Complete "Idol" packages, created in five months!

The Dil Chahata Hai look seems to have inspired quite a few people in the television industry. The goatee and the hairstyle displayed by Sameer in Remix or the styling of the three friends in Zee's Kabhi Haan Kabhi Naa, definitely belongs to the Dil Chahata Hai cadre.

So, Bollywood beware! The telly stars are making style statements that are here to stay!

By Ananya Sengupta