Costume design can reveal a character long before the dialogue does. From giving Kunal Kemmu and Sparsh Srivastava contrasting wardrobes to creating an authoritative yet glamorous look for Preity Zinta’s intelligence officer, Vibe’s costume designer used fashion as an extension of each personality. In a conversation with Bharati K Dubey, designer Rick Roy opens up about working with Kunal, the changing approach to Bollywood costumes, the lack of recognition for technicians and why artistic integrity remains non-negotiable.
What was the brief given to you by Kunal Kemmu when you came onboard for this film?
Kunal is very open as a director and comfortable experimenting with clothes. We also share a love for street style, so we were creatively aligned from the start. The character was clearly defined on paper, and Kunal gave me complete freedom to interpret the look. That trust made the process very easy and collaborative.
How did you decide on Kunal and Sparsh Srivastava’s looks?
Kunal and Sparsh play complete opposites, and their wardrobes needed to reflect that. Sparsh’s character is disciplined and always appropriately dressed, while Kunal’s is wild and unpredictable. So Sparsh is styled correctly for every occasion, whereas Kunal is deliberately dressed wrong for it. That contrast helped define their personalities visually.
Preity Zinta plays an intelligence officer. How did you approach her look?
Preity needed to look authoritative and stylish without appearing over-styled. We kept her wardrobe chic, glamorous and subtly sexy while remaining believable for an intelligence officer. Structured jackets and fitted suits gave her a strong presence. She looks striking when she enters a frame, but you also immediately understand that she means business.
How has costume design in cinema changed over the years?
Costume design has increasingly shifted towards fashion styling and following existing trends. Earlier, cinema created trends and memorable looks. I still try to give every character a distinctive identity. Even when I use high-street brands, I customise the clothes so they don’t look straight off the rack. Costumes should feel specific to the character and story.
Do technicians working long hours get enough recognition?
Technicians rarely receive the same attention as actors despite putting in extremely long hours. When they raise concerns, they can sometimes be labelled difficult. Filmmaking is a collective effort, and the contribution and working conditions of technicians deserve greater recognition.
What is one thing you will never compromise on while styling a character?
I will never compromise on artistic honesty or what I believe is right for the character. I may sometimes appear demanding because I stand by my creative decisions, but those choices ultimately make a difference on screen. I love costume design and will always remain committed to my craft.
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