The legendary Bollywood actor Amitabh Bachchan turned 81 today, and it’s safe to say that he continues to rule the Indian film business. With time, he has become more charming, elegant, and stylish. His stylist Priya Patil, who has been revamping Big B’s wardrobe since the 10th season of the wildly popular television quiz show ‘Kaun Banega Crorepati,’ has played a crucial role in his extraordinary makeover. Let’s explore the interesting journey of Priya Patil, the stylist responsible for Amitabh Bachchan’s distinctive style growth, as the country today celebrated the actor’s 81st birthday.
In 2020, Priya debuted her Bespoke Menswear Label, which was motivated by the love and respect she has gotten for her efforts on the on-air programme. Later, Priya broadened her horizons by working as a stylist for some of the biggest stars in India. Additionally, she owns the women’s accessory brand thatgypsy.com, a one-stop shop for distinctive luxury handbags & accessories. Priya was also asked to give a TEDx Talk at TEDxSIULavale about entrepreneurship. Let’s hear more from Shahensha’s stylist about his style, looks, and Priya’s career to date in honour of his 81st birthday.
Excerpts from the interview:
Can you talk to us about how you got this chance to work as Amitabh Bachchan’s stylist for Kaun Banega Crorepati?
I have always worked as a stylist, and like every stylist working with various production houses and reality shows, you end up meeting celebrities along the way. So, a few years ago, I was working with a particular production house, and KBC became one of the shows they were producing. I joined as a show stylist for KBC, and during that journey, I had the opportunity to meet Mr. Amitabh Bachchan.
So what is this change that we can see in Big B in terms of what he’s wearing and how his appearance is? What are the preparations that you have made for it as a stylist?
This season, we always have to work with the channel and the production to align with the theme of the show. This season, the theme is ‘Badlaav,’ and I personally feel that Badlaav doesn’t have to be drastic; it can manifest in the subtle changes and adjustments we make that ultimately bring about significant transformations. The lights and sets have undergone changes, and, of course, I had to introduce some alterations to the costumes as well.
You’ll still see the three-piece suits and the banglas, and the jodhpuris because it’s a family show and a serious one. Our focus remains on the individuals achieving their overnight dreams, so, to maintain the show’s seriousness, I’ve retained the three-piece suits and the banglas. This time, I’ve introduced a new feature to the jodhpuris – not all of them, but some. I’m experimenting with a new drape, like a scarf that drapes around the shoulder, held in place by a brooch.
For the three-piece suits, I’m incorporating contrast waistcoats and playing with colors. You’ll see combinations like black and white, and blue and orange put together, and maybe even a black and white waistcoat. I’m exploring a lot of contrast color play. I’ve designed something new, like a tuxedo with tassels, and, of course, I’m incorporating pastels.
Additionally, I’ve added small pipings with different colors to the collars. You’ll notice these smaller details in the costume, and I think they add an interesting touch.
About any amusing or memorable Mr. Bachchan related stories that you would want to share?
That memorable story is the day I met him. I’d left my phone in the van and there were a lot of people in the vanity, the channel, the production. We were talking about costumes. I was on the set and he’s like, ‘Who’s Priya?’ So I was like, ‘Yeah, it’s me.’ And he’s like, ‘Oh, you’ve left your keys at home.’ Your mom called. And I was like, ‘Oh my God,’ he said, ‘you left your phone in the vanity.’
Then I took my phone and I’m waiting for my whole trial and everything to get over. I wanted to call my mom, like what happened, you know, and then I called my mom up. I was like, she said, ‘Priya, did you get the message?’ I said, ‘Yes.’ So she said, ‘Yeah, a crew member answered the phone, and you left your keys at home.’ And I was like, ‘Mom, it wasn’t a crew member because Sir didn’t reveal his identity to my mom. He just said, ‘I’ll give her the message.’ And I said, ‘Mom, it wasn’t a crew member. It was Amitabh Bachchan, you know,’ and she was overwhelmed and she called up my whole family and told everybody But that was my first interaction with Amitabh in a simple phone memory.
How do you maintain Mr. Bachchan’s classic fashion while keeping up with the latest fashion trends?
I think Sir is classic elegance. He’s classic yet fresh and fun, as I said. He has these three-piece suits, and then he wears these sporty shoes, and that’s the fun, fresh element. And then, you know, it’s also classic on top, so everything that he wears becomes a trend. He’s a style icon. So, like, during kids, we had these bombers on him, the fun hoodies, and the bomber jackets that he was wearing. Sometimes he used to wear these different colored spectacles. So it’s just that he’s always evolving. He’s very today, yet he remains classic. Yeah, that is just something that he can do.
Priya Patil is still an essential asset in the background, making sure that the celebrated actor always looks his best while captivating audiences with his charisma and classic flair. Her work provides as motivation for budding stylists and fashionistas by proving that classic style is ageless and that even legends may be improved with just the proper amount of fashionable elegance.
