Is doing a semi-period film challenging? Were you able to find what you wanted in terms of fabric and jewellery or did you get everything made?
I had to make everything from scratch. Jejamma's outfit for the drum dance took us 45 days. The weaving and fabric used was in sync with that period. Each and every piece of jewellery was designed for the film.
It didn't seem like a challenge. It was just work, and something I like doing. Now when I look back, I ask myself, is it my work? It is my best work so far and this is became of teamwork, balance and harmony between me, Senthil (camera), Ashok (art design), Shyam, Kodi Ramakrishna and Rahul.
How did you manage to strike the balance between dressing up Jejamma (Arundhati) as a grand bejewelled woman and a contemporary Arundhati?
It was teamwork. We had brainstorming sessions. I went through a lot of photographs of royal families. I also know the daughters-in-law of royal families who also dress in sober and elegant ways. Everybody was involved. Plus Shyam's narration was very clear.
What were the kinds of fabrics you used?
Mainly cottons and silks -- natural fabrics.
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