Celebrated fashion designer Manish Malhotra, who celebrates his 59th birthday today, has embarked on an exciting new chapter in his illustrious career by turning film producer. His newly launched banner, Stage 5 Productions, has already unveiled its first slate of projects, marking a significant shift for the man synonymous with Bollywood glamour.
From Costumes to Cinema: The Producer's Debut
The first phase of Stage 5 Productions is already in motion. It kicked off with the theatrical release of Vibhu Puri's romantic drama 'Gustaakh Ishq', featuring Vijay Varma and Fatima Sana Shaikh. Following this, Tisca Chopra's directorial debut 'Saali Mohabbat', starring Radhika Apte and Divyenndu, is set for a direct-to-digital premiere on ZEE5 on December 12. Completing the trio is Faraz Arif Ansari's 'Bun Tikki', a festival-circuit darling starring veterans Shabana Azmi, Zeenat Aman, and Abhay Deol.
In an exclusive conversation, Malhotra opened up about this transition, his philosophy of work, and the lessons learned from legendary filmmakers. He emphasized that his approach remains driven by instinct and purity, a principle that has guided his 35-year career.
A Lesson in Passion Over Profit
Recalling his humble beginnings, Malhotra shared a poignant anecdote that defines his work ethic. "I remember years ago, the budget given to me for a costume was Rs 2,500. And I had spent Rs 5,000 from my own pocket," he revealed. For the young designer, it was never about cutting corners or saving money. His singular focus was on excellence and recognition. "It was always about that the actor should call me back. They should like my work that much," he stated, affirming that this dedication continues to drive him in fittings and productions even today.
This same ethos now fuels his role as a producer. He sees himself working closely with actors and directors, bringing a larger, supportive perspective to the filmmaking process. By choosing a diverse set of films for Stage 5's first phase, he aims to break the stereotype that associates him solely with glitz and glamour.
Balancing Glamour with Gritty Craft
While Malhotra is best known for creating iconic glamorous looks like Kareena Kapoor's in "Bole Chudiyan," he has also masterfully incorporated raw craft into films like Satya (Urmila Matondkar) and Yuva (Rani Mukerji). He acknowledges that glamour often overshadows craft, but he accepts this branding graciously. "Maybe filmmaking would be the way to get that credit," he mused, noting that people are already surprised by the unconventional choices in his production slate.
As a producer, he draws inspiration from the legendary directors he has collaborated with, including Yash Chopra, Sanjay Leela Bhansali, and Karan Johar. He admires their ability to blend artistic purity with a commercial lens, ensuring their work reaches a wide audience. "To reach a wider audience, you need a wider mind," Malhotra asserted, explaining his decision to release 'Gustaakh Ishq' in cinemas despite the challenges.
He also fondly recalled working with the maverick Ram Gopal Varma, praising his clarity and speed. "Ramu would make even an ordinary shot look great, in his own genre," Malhotra said, citing the iconic visual of Urmila Matondkar in a red dress against a sandstone backdrop in Satya.
For Manish Malhotra, this new venture is not driven by money but by a sincere desire to explore, create, and contribute to cinema with the same passion that once made him spend double his budget just for a callback.
