Neeta Lulla designs for Manikarnika

By

Isabelle Crossley

Published
Jan 7, 2019

Neeta Lulla has designed actress Kangana Ranaut’s wardrobe and collaborated with Amrapali for jewellery for upcoming film Manikarnika.

Ranaut plays the Rani of Jhansi in the film and she wears a luxe traditional wear wardrobe designed by Neeta Lulla. The designer, who runs her eponymous line and has designed costumes for over 300 films, created an opulent set of costumes to reflect the four main stages of the warrior queen’s life.

Lulla used ample amounts of Khadi handloom dyed in pale shades for the queen’s early life and incorporated textured cotton and silk for her warrior looks. The costumes were designed to reflect, “femininity and strength in equal measure,” Lulla told Vogue India. Other techniques that feature in the costumes include thread work and Angarkhas and Achkans.

The jewellery brand Amrapali was brought in to design Ranaut’s jewellery for the film. The pieces were inspired by Maharashtrian jewellery and Lulla herself designed some of the most pivotal pieces. 

Neeta Lulla launched her career designing wedding dresses in 1985 and went on to launch her eponymous band in Mumbai. The brand retails from its flagship store in Mumbai and dedicated online store.