The Qala of Costumes

Costume designer Veera Kapur speaks with Shivpriya Bajpai on coalescing films and fashion and driving creative relevance in cinema

- Shivpriya Bajpai

The allure of films with perfectly etched characters and captivating music always has a deep-rooted sensorial impact. Fashion and cinema have formed a refined connection over time, and we find that the role of a costume designer goes beyond dressing the actors. Their work creates a visual spectacle for the audience to be viewed as an integral aspect of filmmaking. One such designer is Veera Kapur, whose work you’ve appreciated in films such as Piku, Pink and Bulbbul, among others. “Costume intertwines with the characters and helps filmmakers to push the narrative forward,” the award-winning designer shares. Kapur’s most recent work is in Anvita Dutt’s directorial period drama for Netflix, Qala, which has won accolades for revisiting the glorious fashion aesthetics of the 1920s and ‘30s. The gossamer-like ethereal drapes worn by the protagonist Qala Manjushree(Tripti Dimri) have found their way into all fashion discussions. In an exclusive conversation with Kapur, we dive deep into the sartorial nuances of the film, the character arc through costumes, and her creative process.

RITE OF PASSAGE