In the Bollywood film "Haq," starring Yami Gautam, the movie is set in the 1970s, and the costume designer Ashley Rebello has revealed the inspiration behind Yami Gautam's look. Contrary to what some might believe, the inspiration didn't solely come from typical 70s fashion trends, but also from personal connections.
Rebello, in an interview, shared that Salman Khan's sister, Alvira Khan Agnihotri, was one of his inspirations for Yami's character's outfits. He observed how Alvira carried herself and her clothes from a young age, which helped him shape Yami's look in the film. Rebello also drew inspiration from his parents and the cultural environment of smaller cities like Indore, where the film is partly set. He wanted to avoid the exaggerated 70s caricatures often seen on screen. Instead, he aimed for a realistic and relatable portrayal of the era.
Rebello explained his design process, which begins with the story, then translates into a storyboard, followed by sketches and fabric samples. He even used AI to place the actors' faces onto the sketches to visualize the final look. There was also a photo session and look tests for all the actors, including Yami Gautam, Emraan Hashmi, Vartika Singh, and Sheeba Chaddha.
Yami's outfits in the first half of "Haq" feature pastel shades like lavender, pinks, and peaches, which were all custom-dyed. In the second half, her wardrobe transitions to warmer tones of greys and blacks with Kashmiri shawls, reflecting her character's vulnerability. Rebello also made Yami repeat several outfits throughout the film to add a realistic touch.
Yami Gautam and Emraan Hashmi were actively involved in the costume selection process. Rebello mentioned that Yami approved of her look during the first look test, which gave him confidence. Emraan Hashmi also appreciated that his character looked like a Muslim man for the first time, which was a compliment to Rebello's attention to detail.
"Haq" tackles themes of the Uniform Civil Code, Triple Talaq, and gender equality before the law. Rebello's costumes contribute to the film's authenticity and emotional depth. The costume designer's work has been well-received, with many praising the realistic and lived-in feel of the film.
