Costume design is an intricate craft that entails far more than just choosing outfits for actors to wear on screen. It involves a thorough understanding of character psychology, narrative themes, and visual storytelling approaches. Costume designers rigorously analyze screenplays, character descriptions, and directorial visions to create costumes that are not only visually beautiful but also convey the story’s themes and tone. Costume designers work collaboratively with other members of the production crew, such as directors, cinematographers, and set designers, to ensure that costumes blend smoothly with the overall visual aesthetic of the film. They examine lighting, camera angles, and set design to produce cohesive and harmonic compositions that improve the storytelling experience.

Costume design is extremely important in creating distinctive characters that linger with audiences long after the credits roll. Iconic costumes become synonymous with beloved characters, serving as visual markers of their essence and story cycles. Consider the renowned character of Gabbar Singh from the Indian classic “Sholay,” whose intimidating black outfit and unique hairdo immediately provoke fear and intimidation. These outfits not only increase the visual impact of the characters but also their depth and complexity, transforming them into cultural icons that remain timeless.

Establishing Time and Place

Costumes play an important role in creating a film’s historical period and place, offering visual cues that transport viewers to other eras and settings. Costume design in Indian movies frequently reflects the story’s cultural background and historical setting, adding to its authenticity and realism. In period dramas such as “Mughal-E-Azam” or “Padmaavat,” lavish clothes with intricate embroidery and traditional jewelry portray the grandeur and opulence of past dynasties. Similarly, contemporary films such as “Gully Boy” or “Lagaan” include outfits that mirror the urban street style or rural attire of various regions in India, placing the plot inside its cultural and geographical setting. Costume designers contribute to the creation of immersive visual landscapes that improve spectators’ overall cinematic experiences by paying attention to historical intricacies and cultural nuances.

Costumes are effective tools for conveying character traits and emotions, frequently serving as visual aids to understanding a character’s personality, motivations, and inner conflicts. Costumes are important in Indian cinema because emotions are frequently portrayed through song, dance, and dramatic performances. For example, a figure dressed in vivid colors and bold patterns may exude confidence, vigor, and delight, but muted tones and somber apparel may imply depression, contemplation, or internal struggle. Costume designers enrich the storytelling experience by carefully picking costumes that reflect the emotional journey of the characters, allowing audiences to connect more deeply with the characters and their narrative arcs. Whether it’s a colorful ensemble for a joyous dance scene or a basic garment for an intimate emotional moment, costumes allow performers to convey their characters’ deepest emotions and vulnerabilities, resulting in memorable and profound cinematic moments.

Providing Subtext

Costumes frequently use symbolic aspects and subtext to enhance the storytelling experience in Indian movies. Costumes can convey additional layers of meaning and significance through subtle elements like jewelry and accessories as well as more overt motifs and designs. For example, in the Bollywood film “Piku,” the protagonist’s wardrobe represents her transition from independence to acceptance of familial duties, representing her personal development within the difficulties of family dynamics.

Iconic film outfits, such as Raj’s stylish outfit in “DDLJ” or Anarkali’s captivating ensemble in “Mughal-E-Azam,” have become timeless emblems of style and grace. Furthermore, collaborations between fashion designers and filmmakers have resulted in iconic fashion moments on screen, blurring the distinction between film and catwalk. These partnerships frequently result in the birth of new trends in Indian fashion, as spectators strive to replicate the styles of their favorite movie characters, reinforcing India’s symbiotic relationship with film.

Conclusion

In conclusion, clothing plays an important role in filmmaking since it represents the characters of the story. Costumes enhance the movie experience in a variety of ways, including defining time and place and conveying character features and emotions. Costume designers bring characters to life with their precise attention to detail and creative vision, working together with directors, actors, and other members of the production crew. As audiences are attracted by the enchantment of film, clothes will continue to play an important role in the storytelling process, enriching storylines and having a lasting effect on viewers for years to come.

The post Fashion and Film appeared first on DU Times.

Talking about Hindi Cinema, may be London and USA are the top shooting locations for Bollywood movies but for the pure desi tadka and perfect depiction of college life, nothing can gleam the screen better than shooting in the arms of India’s no.1 university.

We bring to you some movies which have been shot in Delhi University. Surely this will add a good amount to the list of things you can flaunt proudly about your University.
Take a look !

1) Fukrey

Initially, the movie was supposed to be shot in SRCC. But, the movie smartly captured Miranda House as a co-educational college. Not just this, the soundtrack of Fukrey was launched in ARSD for the first time And that’s what we call true love for DU.

2) Rockstar

An epic movie directed by Imtiaz Ali, depicts the perfect scenario of a Hindu College boy Janardhan and from the epitome of sophistication, a Stephanite- Heer. Rockstar, a romantic musical drama was shot during the summer break of DU. Be it college canteen or the main entrance, one can easily see the glimpse of these colleges in the movie.

3) Band Bajaa Baraat

How can one miss the song Tarkeebe from this movie? It has shots of Hansraj College’s boys hostel and its classrooms. Maneesh Sharma, director of the movie, truly did justice to the life of DUites by playing around the campus.

4) Do Dooni Chaar

From its annual fest to corridors to classrooms, Kirori Mal College did a fabulous cameo in this movie. No one can forget the fest scene of Rishi Kapoor’s daughter in the movie which was shot in Kirori Mal College.

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5) Dev D

Directed by Anurag Kashyap, the badass of Bollywood who amazingly used the ultimate location of Hansraj College and the campus around it in the movie.

 6) Dil Dosti etc..

Shaping up the true students’ politics in Delhi University, Dil Dosti etc..depicts the perfect urge for power and authority. From presidency of college to simplicity to dedication to friendship, it has all the colors of a student life. The movie was entirely picturized in Hindu College and North Campus.

 7) Akaash Vani

This romantic hosteller-in-love story was shot in St. Stephens. Both the main leads Kartik Tiwari and Nushrat Bharucha leave no stone unturned to gleam the screen with their romance. From hostel to college library, love was shown everywhere.

 8)Special 26

Has anyone noticed the long corridor of CBI Headquarter in this movie? If not, then ladies and gentlemen that long way was actually the famous heritage hall of Miranda House which was transformed as CBI Headquarters. The college has appeared in silver screen in many other Bollywood movies as well.

9) Sahi Bande Galat Dhande

Pravin Dabbas and Udit Khurana, who did their debut as directors in this movie, are famous alumna of Hansraj College. Some of the scenes in the movie were shot there and the campus around it. Also the team organised a special screening in Hansraj College for the movie.

 And one from around the globe……
10) The Reluctant Fundamentalist

This movie was adopted from an unpublished novel ‘The Reluctant Fundamentalist’ and directed by Mira Nair. She perfectly recreated the scenes of Lahore around the Zoology Department of Miranda House.

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Read : 10 Best Places For DU Students To Have Meals For Rs. 100 Or Less

By Shruti Mehra,
Writer – DU Times

The post 10 Movies Shot in Delhi University appeared first on DU Times.

1. The Curious Case of Benjamin Button (2008)
If you are a Brad Pitt fan, this movie is just the one for you. The storyline is loosely based on F. Scott Fitzergerald’s short story. The movie is about a man who suffers from a rare disease wherein he is born as old and grows up to be an infant and dies. The movie is so deep with complicated narrative levels but genuinely heart touching. With eye-catching storyline, excellent cinematography and emotionally enchanting, this one deserves to be on the top of the list.

2. Interstellar (2014)
The tenth-highest grossing film of 2014 is next to perfect Si-Fi movie. Emotionally and visually resonant this one keep you interested till the end. Directed by Christopher Nolan, the movie tackles with the theory of relativity, black holes and concept of time and gravity. The story seems to move slow and might be confusing at times but is worth the famous twist at the end. Watching this movie in 3D will definitely be a treat to your eyes.

3. The Pursuit of Happyness (2006)
The movie is based on the true story of an entrepreneur, Christopher Gardner, a man who loses everything but dares to dream big. Filled with valuable and inspirational life lessons it is an outstanding family drama to watch out for. This movie will play with your emotions and you will definitely cry and laugh along with the characters.

4. Shutter Island (2010)
Starring Leonardo Di Caprio, Mark Ruffalo and Ben Kingsley, Shutter Island is a twisted-psychological neo-drama. Directed by Martin Scorsese, it is based on brilliant writing and a gripping screen play with unexpected series of events. This amazing breathtaking thriller will keep you hooked for a final plot twist. A classic, this one is an underrated but a must match movie!

5. A Beautiful Mind (2001)
This movie has a beautiful blend of science, drama and emotions. Truly an iconic from the last decade with an extraordinary story, the movie strongly delivers the message that with sheer willpower and hope, through passion and hard work everything can be achieved. A well directed, acted and scripted biography, this one is an inspirational for all.

The post 5 Mind Blowing Movies You Must Watch Before The Lockdown Ends appeared first on DU Times.

1. THE MARTIAN (2015)

  ‘The Martian’ a film adaptation was directed by Ridley Scott. It was a science fiction novel written by Andy Weir in 2011. It is being heralded as the most scientifically accurate movie in Hollywood’s history. It is a very hard science fiction with science and technology firmly rooted in reality( facts approved by NASA) . Weir wa snot afraid to delve deeply into topics from orbital mechanics to life support systems to spacecraft engineering. This makes the movie more realistic. The movie captured the very real and human elements of space travel. Every detail from crew’s duties and team first attitude to Mark Watney’s survival strategies on Mars were very clever and correct.

2. EX MACHINA (2015)

Ex Machina directed by Alex Garland is a symphony of classy direction, gorgeous cinematography and slick sci fi. The movie offers a clever version of robots versus humans narrative. The film presents the longstanding themes of territorial behaviours, domination and subordination set against a sci fi backdrop. The film questions something that most techies fail to answer; Who is making sure that all the  innovations do not go drastically wrong? The main concern of the film is about the unchecked innovations could apply to all kinds of disciplines, which are intended to help humanity, could backfire without a proper oversight.

3. INTERSTELLAR (2014)

“Interstellar “is an American British epic science fiction film directed by Christopher Nolan. Interstellar featured some of the most accurate and realistic depictions of both speculative science and accepted physics theories. Theoretical physicist Kip Thorne was the scientific consultant for the film to ensure depictions of wormholes and black holes and to bring real science to the big screen. It also combines abstruse ideas about gravity, matter and time. The movie only lacked in its final act as it left the viewers with some unanswered questions. But , Interstellar is a movie which used the most complicated science concepts.

4.2001: A SPACE ODYSSEY ( 1968)

‘ 2001: A Space Odyssey is an epic science fiction film directed by Stanley Kubrick. The film follows a voyage to Jupiter with sentient computer Hal after the dis convey of a mysterious black monolith affecting human evolution. It is the world’s first- metaphysical exploration of the working of humanity, from the beginning of time to the far- flung future. Amongst the delights it offers a zero gravity toilet, emergency resuscitation and exploding bolts. The film deals with themes of existentialism, artificial intelligence and extraterrestrial life.

5.WOMAN IN THE MOON (1929)

‘Woman in the moon’ is a science fiction silent film directed by Fritz Lang. It is considered to be one of the first “serious” science fiction films. The basics of the rocket travel were presented to the mass audience for the first time by this film , including the use of multi-stage rocket. What was featured in the movie became staples for the coming space movies, from  the look of rocket ships to the countdown to blast off. NASA got the idea of a shuttle countdown from the film as it was the first time there was a countdown before a rocket launch in a movie.

Hence, these are the most inspiring science-fiction movies of all time. These films look as fresh as the day when they were made. Watching them even today, will leave you awe-struck.

– Pratima Jain | Content Writer | DU Times

The post MOST INSPIRING SCI FI MOVIES OF ALL TIME! appeared first on DU Times.

1. Piku-
This simple yet sweet movie described father-daughter relationship beautifully. And, the way Shoojit Sircar connected ‘motion’ and ’emotion’ in a funny manner is commendable. Also, we must not forget the strong role played by Deepika Padukone. From star cast to direction to the storyline this movie was one of the most amazing movies of 2015!

The post Top 10 Movies of 2015 appeared first on DU Times.