Publicity-shy Mamta Anand has been a designer for a decade, but this is her first interview
Mamta Anand, wife of film director Siddharth Anand, started her career as a fashion designer a decade ago and made her mark with her hubby’s film Salaam Namaste. She prefers to keep a low profile — the reason her name may not ring a bell among B-Town’s designer firmament
What are the highs and lows of your profession?
Fortunately, I have not experienced too many lows. I have worked with Saif Ali Khan in Hum Tum, Aamir Khan in Fanaa and Abhishek Bachchan in Paa. When you work on a movie, the character brief is given to you. If I receive appreciation for my work, I get a high. After Salaam Namste, pink became a trend for men since we used it a lot for Saif.
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Was it easy for you to get work as your husband Siddhath Anand is a director?
In fact I met him on the sets of Hum Tum. He was assisting Kunal Kohli then. We started dating and got married later. Earlier I worked as a stylist for MTV. Eventually I got into films and did Thoda Pyaar Thoda Magic, Paa and Mausam. When I design for his films, he gives inputs. But he doesn’t interfere with my work.
Do actors demand changes in the costumes?
Yes, they do give their inputs; we have meetings with the director and actor and then start working. Fortunately most actors have repeated me in other projects. Shahid Kapoor, Ranbir Kapoor and Aamir all have their own sense of style that I did not have to make too many changes.
Where do you source your stuff from?
It depends on the character. For Mausam, Pankaj Kapoor gave me a detailed brief. For films like Anjana Anjaani we shopped in New York and Australia. I also studied local people and tried to understand their background.
Who are the five most stylish actors in the industry?
Saif tops the list. I like his style in real life too. All the boys are great. Ranbir is hassle-free, Shahid is a good person, Vivek Oberoi is very smooth to work with, while Aamir Khan is a perfectionist.
Which star do you enjoy designing for?
Saif is a friend and he is always fun to work with.
Is it tough to convince an actor to wear a particular costume?
No. All of them are co-operative.
What are your upcoming projects?
I did Kismet Love Paisa Dilli because Jigyasa Sharma is a friend who is producing the film. I may start something new too.
Who are your favourite designers in Bollywood?
Manish Malhotra, Sabyasachi Mukherjee and Ritika Bhasin; her costumes for girls are really good.
Do you feel designers get their due today?
I am the wrong person to be answering this as I believe recognition does not matter and your work speaks for yourself.u00a0
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