Shah Rukh Khan brings sunshine to the set: Niharika Khan

Niharika Khan, the costume designer for 'Fan,' took the challenge of giving Aryan, the superstar, and Gaurav, his biggest fan, their distinct identities. The proud recipient of a National Film Award and a Filmfare Award, Niharika spoke to TimesOfIndia.com about Shah Rukh Khan's much talked about film 'Fan'. Excerpts from the interview:
How was the experience of designing outfits for superstar Shah Rukh Khan?
It was very exciting to work with SRK. The whole project itself was very exciting. I had worked with Maneesh before and I was keen to work with him again. I had never worked with Shah Rukh and I am glad to get the opportunity. The script was amazing.
What was the character sketch given to you for 'Fan'?
I was given the script to read and when I finished reading and spoke to Maneesh about it, there were two different characters we had to do. There were lots of discussions about how to do the hair, his wardrobe, etc. We tried a couple of things to finalise what works on him and then got to the point for creating Gaurav. We wanted a Delhi boy versus a Mumbai boy, a rich versus a middle-class boy. Everything that dealt the two distinct look of the boys were taken into consideration.

What were the challenges that you had to face while designing for the film?
Just thinking about the two characters and how we wanted to play them. When they were pitted against each other and standing in the same frame, that was a big challenge. I hadn't worked with VFX before, so that was another challenge for me. I think it was just an intimidation of working with a superstar. But with Shah Rukh, it was so ultimately professional and so good to work with him that you overcome that intimidation really fast. He brings sunshine to the set.
You are also doing 'Mirziya' and 'Shivaay.'
'Mirziya' is a timeless film. It's really fun working with Rakesyh Omprakash Mehra because he has a sense of wanting as much I have. I like detail and Rakeysh is a step ahead in detailing which is really nice. 'Mirziya' is a huge challenge for me. I am also working with Ajay Devgn on 'Shivaay'. It is a big action film. I am trying to figure out action, continuity, how to put it in perspective, what comes when, etc. We have a partner for clothes so I am organizing that as well.
You won a National and Filmfare Award for 'Dirty Picture'. You did 'Heroine,' 'Fitoor,' 'Bombay Velvet' and many more. What has been your toughest challenge?
'Band Baaja Baaraat' was really tough for me when I and Maneesh were working together for the first time. It was the first time I was doing Indian clothes since I don't wear them, it was a huge challenge. When I did 'Delhi Belly,' I was extremely particular about the audiences as the prints had to be shown in Hollywood and Bollywood. We didn't want anyone to be offended by the brand so we got every single t-shirt printed for the film. That was really exciting.
When I take a film, I take it so that it proves to be a challenge for me. I don't do things that I have done before. Even with 'Fan' ' it was a big action film ' the experience was new for me and therefore it proved to be a challenge.
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Who's the easiest star to dress up?
I find Ranbir Kapoor very easy to work with. I have worked with him on 'Rocket Singh: Salesman of the Year' and 'Bombay Velvet.'
Who's the toughest one?
When you work with a debutant, and when it's a big project, it's really tough. You are building up their image, they have insecurities as it's their first time on the screen. I would say Ranveer Singh in 'Band Baaja Baaraat' and Farhan Akhtar in 'Rock On!!' They were tough films for me. They were their debut films and their first huge hits as well.
Any actor on your hit-list you would like to dress up.
Lots of people are on my hit-list. I have not worked with Salman Khan and Shahid Kapoor. I will like to work with them. I have a Hollywood list too (laughs).
Listen: Songs of Fan on Gaana.com
Watch: Shah Rukh Khan's Fan The Making - TOI