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Appearing hip on screen is easier than it looks.
Costumes play a huge part in it but even that can prove to be quite a stressful.
Whether it is Raveena Tandon dancing in a spiky metallic outfit for an elaborate song of Vinashak, Shah Rukh Khan struggling to beat the heat in his body fitting Ra.One suit or Sonam changing into more than half a dozen flamboyant dresses for a six and a half minute track of Tridev, there’s more to celluloid glamour than meets the eye.
And sometimes the burden of wearing these costumes gets rather literal. Take a look at some of the heaviest costumes worn by Bollywood stars.
Deepika Padkone, Goliyon Ki Rasleela Ram-Leela
Everybody’s talking about her tempestuous avatar in Bhansali’s new costume drama but
Deepika Padukone’s main concern was to carry herself with elan in that heavy, ethnic wardrobe.
In the striking first poster, the ever fashionable DP is sporting an elaborate 30 kgs ghagra designed by Anju Modi.
Vivek Oberoi cannot stop beaming about the success of his recent most release, Krrish 3, in which he plays the prime antagonist, Kaal.
As the wheelchair bound mastermind evil who later swaps his cloak for a distressed, metallic costume revealed the strange outfit weighed about 28 kgs.
When it comes to costume dramas, Aishwarya Rai is quite a veteran.
She’s worn lavish designs embellished with rich embroidery and resplendent accessories in many films but nothing comes close to her grand bridal outfit, which looks as though it weighs a ton, as Empress Jodhaa in Ashutosh Gowarikar’s 2008 historical.
One of showbiz’s greatest dancers, Madhuri Dixit is a sight to behold as the golden-hearted courtesan in Sanjay Leela Bhansali’s adaptation of Devdas.
The actress pays a heavy price for opulence whilst performing intricate kathak steps against Kaahe chhed mohe in a super ornate, hold your breath, 30 kg lehenga.
You’d think that’s hardly a costume. But looks can be deceptive.
Apparently that mirror bustier on Sophie Chaudhary, dancing to Meri ek ada shola, alone weighs about five kgs while her crystal studded mini is a whopping 15.
Dress designer Neeta Lulla once told rediff.com how Sridevi’s golden costume during the song, Dushman dil ka woh hai (Roop Ki Rani Choron Ka Raja) was one of her most challenging creations.
“It weighed over 25 kg and Sridevi wore it continuously for 15 days. We had to mend it every night due to the damage caused by the vigorous dance routine,” says Lulla.
Big B socked the screen with his signature punchline and chained arm sleeve in Tinnu Anand’s 1988 potboiler, Shahenshah.
What you probably never realised is just how cumbersome it must to be lug around a 14-15 kg metal arm and pretend it’s no big deal.
One of the earliest movies to pack in heights of extravaganza, Mughal-E-Azam is K Asif’s epic story of a upright Emperor, rebellious Prince and besotted Courtesan.
What’s perhaps as grandiose as its tone are the majestic, period appropriate costumes worn by its key artists – Prithviraj Kapoor, Dilip Kumar and Madhubala.