re you ready for an expose on the fashion industry? Where designers pass off ‘Indira Market, Bangkok’ stuff as their own creation. Where ad agency/fashion mag honchos call the shots. Wild lifestyles, backstage dramas, wardrobe malfunction, casting couch… ouch, ouch, ouch!
Madhur Bhandarkar, the undisputed king of realistic fares, comes up with yet another hard-hitting film that enlightens you, moves you, motivates and deflates you, even shocks and surprises you and of course, entertains you.
The solid reason why FASHION works is because Madhur brings alive everything you’ve read in newspapers or watched on TV as an outsider, to the big screen. And that works and how!
But let’s not give the subject material all importance, for Madhur’s handling of the subject is exemplary. Madhur dresses up his mannequins well, but most importantly, infuses life in those prime bodies. A number sequences leave you tongue-tied [more on that later].
But there’s a hitch. And this problem tones down the impact considerably. The running tine of almost 2.40 hours makes you restless, especially the penultimate 25-odd minutes. Yet, all said and done, FASHION has all it takes to be the showstopper this Diwali!
FASHION tells the story of a small-town girl with a dream and the determination to make it a reality. Meghna [Priyanka Chopra] is ambitious, she wants to attain the status of a supermodel. She realises her dreams and rises to walk the ramps for leading designers across India.
But Meghna has to pay the price for her fame and her journey to the top. Her career starts sliding downwards. In this journey of Meghna, she encounters a number of people. Most importantly, Shonali [Kangna Ranaut] and Janet [Mugdha Godse]. Also, Abhijit Sareen [Arbaaz Khan], a tycoon who controls the fashion industry.
CHANDNI BAR, PAGE 3, SATTA, CORPORATE, TRAFFIC SIGNAL — every Madhur Bhandarkar film has a new story to tell and he tells it most convincingly. In fact, Madhur strikes a fine balance between realism and entertainment in every film. Given the fact that FASHION is all about the fashion industry, the narrative is inevitably filled with lots of glam-n-glitz moments. The fashion shows, the stunning models, the superb styling, the vibrant colours and the behind the scenes drama is worth every penny spent on the ticket.
But it’s not just ramp shows and style-n-fashion here. There’s a story running concurrently — of three models. One, the rise of an unknown into a supermodel. Two, the fall of a supermodel to dust. Three, the ambitious model not achieving success, but opting for a marriage of convenience.
While Madhur has handled the theme as if he were an insider, this review would be incomplete if you ignore two major sequences that are simply outstanding. One, Kangna’s wardrobe malfunction and two, when Priyanka exposes Arbaaz to his wife [Suchitra Pillai].
Mahesh Limaye’s cinematography captures every aspect of the fashion industry to the fullest. The screenplay [Madhur Bhandarkar, Anuradha Tiwari, Ajay Monga] is perfect, except for the penultimate portions. Niranjan Iyengar’s dialogues are fantastic. Nitin Chandrakant Desai’s production design is truly upmarket. The costumes and styling are top notch, a feast for the eyes. Salim-Sulaiman’s music is well synchronised as well. ‘Mar Jaava’ and ‘Jalwa’ are lilting creations.
Madhur places immense trust on Priyanka and she is remarkable all through, more towards the second hour. Post AITRAAZ, FASHION is another medal that shines the brightest when you look at her body of work. But the real star is Kangna. Her role may not be as lengthy as that of Priyanka, but the actress pitches in an awesome performance. Her confidence at the very start is infectious and her overall performance deserves an ovation.
Mugdha Godse is, again, supremely confident. She has dum. Arbaaz Khan is first-rate. Arjan Bajwa does well. Harsh Chhaya, the gay designer, stands out with a realistic performance. Ashwin Mushran, Priyanka’s confidante, is top notch. Samir Soni is good. Suchitra Pillai and Kittu Gidwani are effectual. Raj Babbar and Kiran Juneja are seasoned in such roles.
On the whole, FASHION has tremendous curiosity value and also shock value for the Indian audiences. Its subject — the behind the scenes working and drama of the fashion industry — is its USP. At the box-office, the pre-release hype and buzz will ensure a successful run for the film. Its business at multiplexes mainly should be bountiful. However, trimming the film will only help; not only will it enhance the film, but also its business. Must watch!
Character Sketch
Meghna Mathur (Priyanka Chopra) A small town girl whose strength, determination, and feisty spirit causes her to journey far from home. Meghna Mathur is an elusive combination of beauty and intelligence. She aspires to be a part of the fashion world. She knows that she has what it takes to become a supermodel and will pursue it to the ends of the earth. She also has the added advantage of in-built self esteem and a sense of morality and will not compromise on her dignity. But how can that attitude balance with her driving ambition to get to the top? Meghna will fall prey to the trappings of fame. Will she rise from the fall?
Shonali (Kangana Ranaut) Shonali Gujral is the reigning model on the runway and an icon for Meghna to aspire to. However, Shonali is also a victim of the choices she has made. She bears the consequences of a steep rise to fame and fortune without a resolute backbone when the weight got unbearable. Shonali is the poster child for glamour and for self-destruction. Famous, envied, lost and confused she is a prisoner in a world, which will be her ultimate downfall.
Janet (Mugdha Godse) Janet is the tough talking girl with a heart of gold, who becomes Meghna’s best friend. A model who may not have reached the heights of Shonali and yet remains more carefree as she lives life by her own terms with no demons or regrets. Anything goes with Janet. She seems like she has made a deal with life - ‘You keep me alive and I’ll walk about with a smile on my face.’ But Janet has something the others who survive like her don’t: She has a heart. She values the importance of a family. And she knows that you can find love in the strangest places.
Rahul Arora (Sameer Soni) Designer extraordinaire and a visionary talent amongst young Indian designers, Rahul makes no compromises with both his fashion designs and his lifestyle. He is the crowned king of the runway, the lead designer for the powerhouse brand Panache and his creations are adored by the glitterati. However, the approval he most seeks is that of his mother - who seems to ignore all his achievements for the wish that he would settle down into marriage and domesticity. As a leading light in the fashion fraternity - how will he balance family obligations with the demands of his profession and lifestyle?
Abhijit Sarin (Arbaaz Khan) A powerful business tycoon who owns one half of the fashion industry and extends influence over the other half - Sarin is the perfect example of when creativity meets commerce. Known as the man with the midas touch, through his clothing and retail giant Panache - Sarin has nurtured many talented designers including Rahul Arora and has the ability to be an image-maker. A business magnate who is used to getting his own way - he meets his match in the young Meghna Mathur.
Anisha Roy (Kitu Gidwani) A former beauty queen, Anisha Roy runs the most successful modeling agency in Mumbai - Profile - India’s answer to Elite. She is a tough as nails business woman who has a keen eye for spotting talent and molding it into a success story. Among the important regular clients are Panache for whom she has discovered many talented models. She knows everyone in the business and everyone wants to know her as they know how far she can get them.
Maanav (Arjan Bajwa) As one of the thousands of talented hopefuls that travel to Mumbai hoping to make it big as a model in the industry, Maanav is one such aspirant. He befriends Meghna during their early days as struggling models and proves to be a loyal supporter throughout as their friendship blossoms. Despite temptations, Maanav has a strong set of values that will not allow him to take the quick and easy route to the top through compromise, a trait that Meghna comes to value.
Synopsis
The journey of the rise and fall and phoenix like re-birth of India’s number one Supermodel. Set against the glittering backdrop of the glamorous but ruthless world of haute couture
Fashion, this tells the story of one small town girl with a dream and the determination to make it a reality. Meghna Mathur knew that she was meant to be famous. Ever ambitious and bright with stars in her eyes, even as a girl with a conservative background, she dared to dream of bright lights and the big city. The world of fashion - the clothes, the colors, the make-up, all of these form a part of the fascinating world that Meghna has longed to be a part of. She reaches the peak of her success and rises to walk the ramps for leading designers across India. The fashion world lies at her feet - the parties, the brand endorsements, the photographers, the models, the romance and of course - the shows, the shows, the shows!
However, karma catches up with Meghna as she slowly starts to pay the price for her fame and her journey to the top. Her attempt at a comeback was going to be a near impossibility but she was never a woman to turn away from a challenge. “Fashion” explores the world of style through the emotional personal journey of the key people that make the industry, the dream-weavers of that elaborate world of glamour: the models, designers, photographers, businessmen, agencies etc.
In the world of image - makers - is it possible to conquer it and remain true to yourself?
The much awaited movie ‘Arundhati’ has cancelled its release even today. The film was scheduled to release on 14th of this month but due to various technical reasons the movie hasn’t released even today. Yesterday it was said that the film is releasing on 15th but it may not happen even on 16th, say sources. 
