Fashion

Kirti Kulhari striking the perfect balance

Raw and real, flawed yet strong are what Kirti Kulhari’s characters from Pink to Criminal Justice: Behind Closed Doors resonate with. The actor who has been delivering incredible, swoon-worthy performances, is now geared up for the next season of the popular Emmy-nominated show on Amazon Prime Four More Shots Please! Talking about her work, web space and how lockdown helped content creators and audience, Kirti gets into a conversation with Sweta Pendyala for Hashtag India.

You have been working in OTT and films that have theatrical release. What is the major difference in the experience you have had?

As there is no censorship over OTT platforms yet, it is liberating for the filmmakers to tell the stories the way they want to and for actors to be able to deliver without thinking about censorship. It gives freedom to perform and improvise. The world is opening up and this change has a lot to do with OTT. Boundaries are being blurred for the better. The best part about web shows is that it gives you time to tell elaborate stories. The shooting schedules are longer. On the other hand, there is no better feeling than watching a film on the big screen. I have been fortunate enough to work with people who are making good projects; telling stories that need to be told. Even the films that I have been a part of Uri: The Surgical Strike and Mission Mangal have been appreciated by the critics and the audiences alike; these films have made me a household name.

For over 10 months, OTT was the only platform people were consuming content from. Do you think this will help bridge the gap between the content screened in theatres and produced on the web?

I believe that trend exposed people to diverse content and allowed the audience to better accept that medium and appreciate good content. Filmmakers on OTT platforms also realised that the audience was looking for a certain standard of content, and have been working towards it. However, being kept away from the big screen for so long will definitely make them appreciate films in theatres even more.

How exciting was it preparing for your character in Four More Shots Please!?

Four More Shots Please! has been a joy ride, it’s like being home. Playing Anjana is one of my favourite things mainly because our approach has been to show what is real. Every human being is flawed in a way and that is real. It is what I think even the audience liked about the show. It has a universal appeal; it resonates not only with women but all genders and types of people.

After being nominated for an Emmy, do you feel an added responsibility or pressure to keep up with viewers’ expectations in the new season of Four More Shots Please!?

It is an international recognition; something from India that has been recognised is the most important thing for me. I am not someone who feels or takes the pressure. I don’t take things personally or get too excited. I certainly enjoy the moment, enjoy the glory it brings and let it go. I do my job with utmost sincerity and because I love acting and it is the greatest joy for me. Awards and recognition are bonuses, I do not pressurise myself for anything.

Quickfire

How do you keep yourself away from stress? Knowing when to disconnect helps. If a certain amount of stress is interfering with my health I just disconnect by taking a break to travel, cutting off on social media or just not being available for phone calls.

Cheat meal: Ye or Nay? I don’t do hardcore dieting. I eat balanced food, avoid junk, and do intermittent fasting. I can have a cheat meal or cheat day any time I want (chuckles).

What makes up your me time: Listening to music, watching what I like, meditation, reading, exercising, taking walks and cooking.

One word for your journey so far: Gratitude. I wouldn’t have gotten so far without going through the good, the bad and the ugly.

Your wardrobe must haves: White shirts and t-shirts, denim and comfortably short dresses.

Kirti in three words: Simple, honest and at peace

Could you throw some light on how Anjana’s character is going to evolve in the coming season? What can the audience expect?

Anjana is someone who widens your horizon and makes you look at the whole picture. The essence of the character will remain the same. Although the third season will see different layers of Anjana’s personality, she will retain the same energy and vision. The response of the audience has been overwhelming and I hope they keep showering their love on Anjana and the series.

Which role has been most challenging for you? Would you accept roles you don’t necessarily resonate with?

By far Anuradha Chandra in Criminal Justice has been the most challenging in terms of dark space, pain and angst the character goes through. Anu Chandra was a victim, a person with no voice and it was very difficult to play a character like that. The feeling of being so lost is not something which has been easy to feel and enact. It isn’t a character I would personally resonate with, but I took it as a challenge because I was open to exploring that world.

How do you deal with the stress of playing intense characters?

Playing intense characters is definitely challenging. It’s quite a task to understand their world and their issues. I am someone who gets in and out of a character very easily; I don’t take it home with me. However, I am sure some traits of each character subconsciously stay with me.

What specifically in Criminal Justice: Behind Closed Doors grabbed your attention that you chose to play such an intense character?

There were a few reasons, but the central theme touched a chord with me. I thought it’s a very important subject that needs to be discussed and it has been dealt with maturity and sensitivity in the script. I absolutely wanted to talk about the issue through the series. Apart from that, playing the role of Anuradha Chandra who is a victim of marital rape and abuse seemed challenging to me as an actor and that’s why I wanted to do that. Sharing the screen and working with actors like Pankaj Tripathi, Deepti Naval, Mita Vashisht, Anupriya Goenka, Aashish Vidyarthi, Shilpa Shukla and Kalyani Mule was an exciting prospect.

How do you choose a script?

It is an effective storyline above all else that compels me to settle on a script. Of course what I would be doing and how important my character is to the story also matters. I then look at how I can make a difference to the script as an actor, and how that character can make a difference to the world. The director’s vision also counts for a lot in the process.

Personal life has become a myth for public figures thanks to social media. Have you put in conscious effort to strike a balance?

Acting is what I love. It’s my passion. I believe in taking things the way they are, not overthinking or overdoing them. I have not been a social media person, I joined Instagram only in 2019 and have started liking it. I think it’s how you take it. I believe in showing my real self to the followers because that is who I am and I don’t shy away from that. I think to strike a balance all you need to do is to be true to yourself and everything else will fall in place.

I have not been a social media person. I joined Instagram only in 2019 and have started liking it. To strike a balance all you need to do is to be true to yourself and everything else will fall in place.

You were exploring places and travelling during lockdown. What was that experience like?

I love traveling, whenever I get a few days off, I make sure I travel. Staying at home during the lockdown was not very difficult for me, I loved being at home. I spent quality time with my family and myself. As soon as the travel options were opening up, I decided to travel while observing all the safety precautions. I would not say liberating, as being at home or working both are liberating as well but traveling after so many months made me happy.

What is in the pipeline for 2021?

Girl on the Train, Shaadistaan, season 3 of Four More Shots Please!, a few short films, a feature film and a few more projects which I cannot name right now but all will be releasing this year end.

How do you look at your journey so far?

I look at my journey with a lot of gratitude. Had it not been for all kinds of experiences—good, bad and ugly, I wouldn’t have been here where I am today.

What kind of role would you like to explore that you haven’t yet?

A sports biopic, a period film as I am very fascinated by Maharani Gayatri Devi’s story and an action film top my list right now.

February 1, 2021

#Actress, #Celebrity, #Diva, #FashionForward

Naeth: Contemporary Fashion by Kerala Designers Jithu & Vishnu

Founded by mechanical engineering graduates and classmates Jithu Gopakumar and Vishnu Girija Gopal, Naeth is a contemporary fashion label from Kerala that bridges heritage with modern design. Inspired by the state’s rich textile traditions, the duo transforms handloom into contemporary silhouettes through innovative fabrics, technical textiles, and thoughtful craftsmanship. Their vision is simple yet powerful: to make India’s weaving traditions relevant for today’s generation while preserving the stories behind every thread. 1.Tell us about your brand and how it is helping preserve and promote India’s rich handloom heritage. At Naeth, we reinterpret traditional handloom through contemporary fashion. Our collections transform heritage textiles into modern, wearable silhouettes that appeal to younger audiences while preserving the craftsmanship, stories, and cultural significance woven into every fabric. 2.Which weaving traditions or artisan communities do you work with? We work closely with the weavers of Balaramapuram, Kerala, a community renowned for its centuries-old weaving tradition. Their handcrafted sarees and mundus are celebrated for their precision, purity, and exceptional craftsmanship, making every textile a reflection of Kerala’s rich cultural legacy. 3.How does your brand support sustainability and responsible craftsmanship? Sustainability is central to our design philosophy. We upcycle traditional handloom textiles into contemporary garments, reducing waste while extending the life of these fabrics. Alongside direct collaborations with artisans and limited-batch production, we also experiment with eco-conscious materials such as bamboo fibres and recycled PET fabrics. 4.What is the biggest challenge facing India’s handloom sector today? One of the biggest challenges is changing the perception that handloom belongs only to traditional wear. We believe handloom deserves a place in contemporary fashion. At the same time, we’re working towards creating greater value for artisan communities by reducing dependence on intermediaries and promoting fair recognition for their craftsmanship. 5.What does National Handloom Day mean to Naeth? For us, National

Fashion

Kawaii by Lavika Singhvi | Udaipur

Founded by Lavika Singhvi, a Udaipur-born entrepreneur with a deep connection to India’s artistic heritage, Kawaii is redefining luxury sarees through the lens of wearable art. Inspired by Rajasthan’s rich cultural legacy, Lavika brings together rare handcrafted traditions from across India, including Pichwai, Ajrakh, Madhubani, Batik, and Bandhani. As a Pichwai Certified and ODOP Verified brand, Kawaii works directly with master artisans to preserve authenticity and support traditional craftsmanship. Each saree is envisioned as a timeless heirloom, celebrating heritage, artistry, and the stories woven into every creation. 1.Tell us about your brand and how it is helping preserve and promote India’s rich handloom heritage. Kawaii was born from my desire to transform India’s rich artistic heritage into wearable art for the modern woman. Growing up in Udaipur, a city surrounded by art, culture, and royal traditions, I developed a deep appreciation for the craftsmanship and stories behind Indian textiles. Through Kawaii, we bring together diverse Indian art forms such as Pichwai, Madhubani, Batik, Ajrakh, and Bandhani on luxurious handloom fabrics. Our focus is on preserving authenticity while presenting these traditional crafts in a contemporary format. As a Pichwai Certified and ODOP Verified brand, we work closely with original artisans and artists, ensuring their skills are recognised, valued, and carried forward to future generations. 2.Which weaving traditions or artisan communities do you work with, and what makes their craftsmanship unique? We work with artisan communities across India, including Pichwai artists from Udaipur, Madhubani artists from Bihar, Ajrakh craftsmen from Gujarat and Rajasthan, Bandhani artisans, Batik artists, and traditional handloom weavers. Each craft represents generations of knowledge and storytelling. Pichwai is deeply connected to Rajasthan’s cultural and spiritual heritage, with artists creating intricate hand-painted narratives. Madhubani celebrates symbolic storytelling through detailed motifs, while Ajrakh and Batik showcase complex dyeing techniques perfected over

Fashion

GAURANG by Gaurang Shah I Hyderabad

GAURANG is one of India’s foremost luxury handloom brands, renowned for reviving and reimagining the iconic Jamdani weave. For over three decades, Gaurang Shah has worked alongside artisan communities across India, combining traditional craftsmanship with contemporary design to create timeless textiles. Through its dedicated loom clusters, GAURANG has empowered over a thousand artisans while preserving India’s rich weaving heritage through innovation, skill development, and sustainable livelihoods. 1.Tell us about your brand and how it is helping preserve and promote India’s rich handloom heritage. For me, GAURANG has always been about textiles before fashion. My journey began with a fascination for handwoven fabrics and evolved into a lifelong commitment to preserving India’s weaving traditions, particularly the intricate Jamdani weave. Working closely with artisan communities, we have built loom clusters that strengthen weaving ecosystems, encourage innovation, and create opportunities for traditional skills to flourish. Through our collections and showcases across India and internationally, I strive to present Indian handlooms as timeless works of art that remain relevant to contemporary audiences while staying true to their heritage. 2.Which weaving traditions or artisan communities do you work with, and what makes their craftsmanship unique? I work extensively with Jamdani weavers and artisan communities across Telangana, Andhra Pradesh, and several textile clusters throughout India. Through the GAURANG loom clusters, we collaborate with artisans to develop fine cottons, silks, and innovative handwoven textiles while preserving the integrity of traditional weaving techniques. What makes Jamdani extraordinary is its painstaking process: every motif is woven by hand, thread by thread, directly on the loom. The precision, patience, and craftsmanship involved ensure that every sari is unique, carrying the unmistakable signature of the artisan who created it. 3.Sustainability is at the heart of handloom. What ethical or sustainable practices does your brand follow? Handloom is inherently sustainable, relying on

Fashion

5 Viral Shopping Apps Dominating Gen Z Trends

Gen Z shopping in India is fast, trend-driven and completely digital, with fashion apps shaping what’s in and what’s out. From viral styles to budget-friendly finds, these platforms make it easy to build a wardrobe with just a few taps. Here are five of the best shopping apps Gen Z is obsessed with right now, curated by Sunerii Vennam. Shopping today goes far beyond malls and offline stores. With just a few taps, you can build an entire wardrobe, whether it’s trend-led pieces or a carefully curated personal style. From Y2K revivals to ever-evolving microtrends, fashion is moving faster than ever. And somehow, our carts are filling up even faster. From aesthetic outfits to budget-friendly basics, these are the five apps Gen Z in India can’t get enough of right now. Savana: The Rising Favourite Savana has become a go-to app for people chasing trendy, Pinterest-inspired looks because it’s not just budget-friendly but also known for its new type of sales almost every week. This makes Savana one of the best apps for buying daily essential outfits or the best outfit maker for your next event. The app stands out because its collections often match current trends, making it popular among shoppers who enjoy experimenting with styles. Sunerii’s Favourites: Unique tops and versatile jewellery Newme: Fashion That Understands Gen Z Newme feels like an app built specifically for younger shoppers. The styles are bold, trendy and often inspired by what is currently popular online. The main fan favourites from this store are dresses and bodycons. Newme is expanding its base by also opening offline stores in multiple states across the country, such as Hyderabad, Bangalore, Delhi and more. If keeping up with trends is important, Newme has become a familiar name. Sunerii’s Favourites: Bodycon dresses and hoodies/ sweatshirts Littlebox India: