Rekha Boggarapu, who designed costumes for all of the characters within the Telugu movie Miraiexcept lead actor Teja Sajja, says she feels both relieved and proud of what she calls one of her most challenging assignments. She credits cinematographer-director Karthik Gattamneni and his group for his or her meticulous documentation and communication at each stage. “We have been clear about each character’s backstory, the manufacturing design, colors and textures,” she notes.
Rekha started designing for movies with the 2018 spy thriller Goodachari, adopted by Major, Adivi Sesh’s function in HIT 2, and parts of Gaami, together with a number of music movies and net sequence.
Regulation to vogue design
Style design and cinema weren’t straightforward profession decisions, Rekha recollects. Armed with a postgraduate diploma in constitutional legislation and diplomas in forensic sciences and vogue design, she laughs when requested in regards to the eclectic combine. “I come from a household that’s academically inclined. My grandfather is a retired headmaster, my mom is an educationist and my father is a lawyer with the Crime Department, Crime Investigation Division (CBCID).”
Rekha excelled in teachers however was not drawn to drugs or engineering. When she instructed her dad and mom that she needed to do one thing artistic, there was resistance initially. “I studied legislation. After finishing the course, I felt the necessity to step out of the consolation zone created by my dad and mom.”
Shriya as Ambica; a sketch of her ensemble
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She persuaded her household to let her open a boutique and start designing. Then got here an surprising break: an actor walked in and requested if she might create garments for a photoshoot. That encounter set off a series of alternatives. The identical actor talked about her to a movie group searching for a fancy dress designer. “That’s how I met director Sashi Kiran Tikka, actor Adivi Sesh and the group of Goodachari.”
Hold it actual
Rekha prefers her characters to look as lifelike as doable on display, an strategy that proved efficient in Goodachari and Main. “It was a proud second when the Indian Military raised no objections to the costume designs for Main (the biopic of Main Sandeep Unnikrishnan) throughout approval. The uniforms for military personnel and cops have been intentionally understated in order that they wouldn’t draw consideration,” she recollects.
Since then, she has adopted a non-negotiable precept: perceive the characters and their tales totally. “Understanding a personality’s background, schooling, problem-solving fashion, and so forth makes designing a lot simpler.”
Movies corresponding to Gaamiand Mirai required her to create seems to be for imagined worlds. She labored on parts of Gaami earlier than taking a maternity break.
Mirai provided Rekha a broader canvas, with characters performed by Shriya Saran, Manchu Manoj, Jayaram, Jagapathi Babu, Ritika Nayak, in addition to supporting and junior artistes. “It was difficult as a result of we didn’t take references from worldwide cinema for any of the seems to be,” she says.
For Shriya, who performs Ambica, the top of a religious clan, Rekha layered silk and velvet. “Within the self-immolation scene, 5 totally different materials have been used: a silk skirt, a uncooked silk shirt with crochet lace, a Chinon silk dupatta with velvet accents, and so forth. Shriya’s look was wealthy but understated, reflecting a sensible girl who might foresee the longer term.” Against this, Ritika Nayak, portraying a younger sadhvi, wore clothes in tender cottons.
Colors and textures
Rekha additionally integrated curtains, throws and blankets so as to add texture, mixing them with conventional materials. Jayaram, taking part in the sage Agastya, was wearing shawls with bordered edges and given refined particulars, together with lengthy, darkish nails that have been barely seen on display.
Manchu Manoj, portraying Mahavir Lama, the malevolent determine wielding the black sword, was wearing layers of pink, black and brown. “His clothes had a number of layers, symbolising the steps he should cross to attain his damaging ambitions. Given his darkish childhood, nothing in his apparel suggests hope. The materials have a refined lustre, reflecting the wealth he has acquired alongside along with his energy,” she explains.
Shades of black
Rekha notes a similarity between Manoj and Jagapathi Babu, who performs the elder guardian of one of many seven granths. “The black of their costumes signifies mastery of black magic. However Jagapathi Babu’s character makes use of his information for the good thing about others, so the black is softened with streaks of pink and orange.”
Manchu Manoj because the Black Sword; a sketch of his ensemble
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She admits she misplaced rely of the variety of characters she designed. Some scenes — together with parts set on the Kumbh Mela and a track that includes Nidhhi Agerwal with a number of dancers — have been edited to scale back the movie’s length. Different sequences required costumes for characters primarily based in Japan and Morocco. “Because the movie was shot over a protracted interval, just a few of my assistants moved on. At any given time, I had a group of two to 10 on set to streamline manufacturing and fittings.”
Rekha selected to not design for Teja Sajja’s superhero, Superyodha. “It might have been overwhelming. Every week into filming, when the makers instructed bringing another person on board, I agreed. Lanka Santoshi, who has designed for Teja’s earlier movies together with Hanu-Man, took over.”
Presently, she is engaged on Goodachari’s sequel G2, Dacoit starring Adivi Sesh and Mrunal Thakur, Dandora with Sivaji and Laya, and a brand new movie with Sharwanand. “Amongst them, Dandora is a smaller movie with a hard-hitting, transferring story,” she says.
What has made her journey worthwhile is seeing her dad and mom watch Mirai and admire her work. “I now perceive their preliminary reluctance to let me pursue this path. I’m glad they’re pleased with what I’ve achieved.”
Revealed – September 19, 2025 12:36 pm IST
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