Jack of all Trades

It’s exhausting to simply listen to him rattle off his upcoming tasks,but Malhotra assures that he finds time to fit in all his projects — he’s even written a script and wants to direct a movie next year. His secret,he says,is his passion. “I take on so many projects,because I want to do it all,” he says.

Malhotra is currently one of the best-selling designers in the country,well-known for his bridal wear collections. Pradeep Hirani,owner of fashion retail chain Kimaya,says,“I’ve known Manish for 19 years and he’s proved himself to be one of the more focused people I know. He’s talented and consistent. One of his biggest achievements has been that he gave the Mumbai fashion scene a face on the national stage. Until he came along,the biggest designers of the country were from Delhi.”

Malhotra admits he’s been lucky with the kind of support he has got. “I had my family’s support throughout,even when I made the unlikely decision to be a film stylist,at the age of 21,” he laughs. “I was never one for studies,and passed all my science tests simply because I could sketch diagrams.” The ability to sketch held him in good stead when he made the leap to Bollywood and impressed the filmmakers. “There was no consistency in the looks of the characters: in one scene,they would have short hair,in the next it would be long,” he exclaims. One of his first assignments was the 1993 film Gumraah,where he gave Sridevi the famous short haircut. But his work really got noticed with Rangeela (1995),thanks to his impressive makeover of Urmila Matondkar’s dowdy image. However,what consolidated his position was the success of Dilwale Dulhania Le Jayenge (1995) and Dil Toh Pagal Hai (1997).

His transition to fashion is something that Malhotra is very proud of. “I’m the first stylist to go into fashion designing. Usually,the opposite happens,” he says. His Bollywood friends ensured that he was already a big name when he debuted at the LFW in 2000. In the ten years that he has taken part in it,he’s been a Grand Finale designer twice. “He represents the perfect blend of international sensibilities with an Indian soul,making him the best choice for a finale,” says Farida Kaliyadan,GM,Lakme.

According to Malhotra,the reason he’s managed to stay relevant in both the worlds is because of his ability to stay updated. “Even the younger actresses love working with me because they know I will give them a contemporary look.” When it comes to designing,Malhotra has faced criticism for refusing to budge out of his comfort zone of bridal wear. Critics have remarked that his designs are repeated,with barely any suprise elements. He bristles at the mention of this. “I have a signature look. Asking me to do something different is like asking Pucci to do Armani. I’m known for a certain kind of dramatic,opulent creation. I’m developing a brand DNA. Right now,everyone is pointing fingers,but soon,they will understand the importance of having a signature look.”