Manish Malhotra credits Karan Johar for Alia Bhatt’s chiffon saree looks in Rocky Aur Rani Kii Prem Kahaani, opens up about their equation

Director Karan Johar and his long-standing partnership with designer Manish Malhotra has left an indelible mark on Bollywood fashion. From the iconic little silver dress worn by Rani Mukherji in Karan’s debut film Kuch Kuch Hota Hai to Alia Bhatt’s nostalgic chiffon saree looks in their latest collaboration Rocky Aur Rani Kii Prem Kahaani, the duo has consistently created stunning and memorable fashion statements over their 25-year journey together.

In a recent interview with Film Companion, Manish Malhotra revealed the key factor that sustains his successful partnership with the filmmaker. He said, “I think we understand and trust each other. We are close friends. It’s sometimes difficult to work with your close friend. But I have never been late nor I’ve never taken it for granted that we are friends so he will understand. In fact, I am more conscious that we are friends. It’s the fact that we trust each other and he also knows that I have my heart in what I am doing. We have also had our fights when he didn’t like something and I believed in it and pushed for it. But we are very honest with each other, sometimes I am really honest and he is like, ‘you have been too honest’.”

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Manish also praised Karan’s keen eye for fashion and recounted an instance during the making of Rocky Aur Rani Kii Prem Kahaani when Karan was resolute about Alia Bhatt’s character wearing only sarees. “I can be honest about the things that we don’t agree on and I can just say that to him because I cannot not tell my friend something that I feel. But I think there is mutual trust and he has got a very good eye. For example, for Alia’s look, he was very clear that ‘I want her look to be only sarees.’ I asked him, ‘Are you sure?’ But I have to credit him for that, he was very clear from the beginning,” he said.

The film marks Karan Johar’s return to feature filmmaking after 2016’s Ae Dil Hai Mushkil. Rocky Aur Rani Kii Prem Kahaani also features Ranveer Singh in the lead role, is set to hit theatres on July 28.