Costumes from Hridayam used again in 'Varshangalkku Shesham', reveals film's costume designer

In 'Varshangalkku Shesham', Vineeth Sreenivasan showcases his directorial prowess by seamlessly blending the past and present, creating a nostalgic and immersive experience for the audience. The film beautifully captures the essence of each decade, from the vibrant colours and fashion of the 1960s to the contemporary settings of the present day.

One of the standout aspects is the costumes. The film's costume designer, Divya George, discussed the secrets behind recreating the fashion trends of each era to Mathrubhumi.

"Apart from the costumes worn by the lead actors in the movie, we did use the costumes in Hridayam for various scenes in the movie. It was a creative way of repurposing materials instead of letting them go waste," she said. 

How was the experience working with Vineeth Sreenivasan?

I worked with Vineeth in 'Hridayam'. So, I was well acquainted with what he wanted from me as a costume designer. It is easy and comfortable to work with him. He put forth his requirements during the initial discussions. Once we start the work, he gives us the freedom to try new things. He may forget these minor details during the filming, so we gently jog his memory when needed. 

What were Vineeth's demands over the costumes used in the movie? 

Vineeth specifically requested that we incorporate a colour scheme consisting of red and green. These two colours play a significant role throughout the film, appearing in the costumes worn by Pranav, Dhyan, and Kalyani. In the first meeting, Vineeth shared details about each character. We drew inspiration from old films while designing costumes. For example, Kalyani's attire was influenced by the style of Anglo-Indians and the fashion trends of old Mumbai. We aimed to create a subtle sense of the era without making it too obvious for the viewers.

How challenging was costume design for scenes depicting various decades in the movie? 

The part involving Kodambakkam proved to be quite a demanding aspect of the film. In addition to the main actors, we also had to coordinate with extras in these scenes. The outfits from Hridayam were also frequently repurposed for some scenes. We had to modify them, tweak the design to make it look like it was from the 1970s and 1980s. For example, some of the costumes featured in the Madhu Pakaroo song were used in Hridayam.

We were briefed on the specific needs of Pranav's character in the film, such as a particular piece of jewellery he wore or the small cloth bag he used to carry the tape recorder in various scenes. The costumes worn by Shaan Rahmaan, who depicts an actor from the 1970s, were meticulously planned based on actors from the past. For Nivin Pauly, Vineeth proposed creating a unique jacket emblazoned with the word 'CULT' for Nivin's introduction scene. Just like that, Vineeth needed a custom-made jacket for a different scene where Nivin speaks directly to the camera. 

How fun was it working with Pranav and Dhyan?

It was so much fun working with them. We used to stay together during the filming. Everybody helped each other. The artists were cooperative in trying out various costumes. I had worked with Pranav, but not with Dhyan. Pranav is very nice and easygoing. Dhyan, on the other hand, is very childlike. For instance, when he was doing the elderly part, he really transformed in front of the character. He becomes quite funny and childish once he is out of character.