Fashion Icon Manish Malhotra Opens Up About His Journey, Bond with Sridevi, and Redefining Masculinity
Fashion Icon Manish Malhotra shared insights into his illustrious career, personal relationships, and evolving views on masculinity. Manish challenged traditional norms, emphasizing that "what you wear is secondary; who you are is first." He acknowledged the complexity of gender fluidity.
In a heartfelt conversation with media entrepreneur Nikhil Taneja, renowned fashion designer Manish Malhotra shared insights into his illustrious career, personal relationships, and evolving views on masculinity.
Manish Malhotra Life Lessons Learnt From SrideviManish reflected on his early years, particularly the invaluable lessons he learned from the late iconic actress, Sridevi. "I learned so much from her," he recalled, highlighting how she shaped his understanding of costume design. He mentioned that Sridevi was the only person he ever addressed as "ma'am." Manish also opened up about the deep loneliness he felt after losing his father and, later, Sridevi.
Discussing his close bond with Sridevi's daughters, Janhvi and Khushi Kapoor, Manish expressed his pride. "I have known Janhvi since the day she was born. I visited Khushi in the hospital when she was born," he shared, describing them as "focused, hardworking, and ever-evolving." He noted that both sisters embody the same clarity and work ethic that Sridevi had.
Manish also spoke about his long-standing friendship with filmmaker Karan Johar. He recalled how their shared love for films and fashion brought them closer. Despite Karan's flair for drama, Manish said he helps "dial it down" and appreciates Karan's creativity, intuition, and dedication to his work.
On the topic of masculinity, Manish challenged traditional norms, emphasizing that "what you wear is secondary; who you are is first." He acknowledged the complexity of gender fluidity and noted, "We can't expect everyone to fully understand it." For him, "normal" means embracing different opinions and perspectives.
The episode of Yuvaa's "Be a Man, Yaar!" Season 2 featuring Manish Malhotra offers an intimate look into his life and philosophy. He also discussed his production house, the evolution of his career, his views on masculinity, and how he has captured the changing gender roles over the decades, as asked by Janhvi Kapoor.