KBC Show & Styling :
(16th Season on Sony TV)
It would be audacious for ordinary mortals like us to embark on any commentary on the popularity of the ‘Kaun Banega Crorepati’ (KBC) and it’s ageless host almost in a new & different avatar, in get-up and dress-wise and with his charm and charisma intact, show after show. Over the years, viewers and doubtlessly the ‘hot seat’ occupants have been enlightened & entertained by the wit and style of megastar Amitabh Bachchan, donning many show-stopping outfits (no hats yet !) that have been the talk of the town.
Those sartorially traditional in taste (includes my late Dad & ‘woke’ me and some retired old-world friends), what’s fascinating is the range of wear that Big B carries off with the panache of a ‘Cary Grant’ or Ashok Kumar (Dadamoni) of the yesteryears. From three-piece suits, bowties, stylish scarves, and the more conventional striped suit and grey tie and occasional safari suits and plain shirt and coat look, it all sits so well on the icon !
All this has led us to do a bit of research on this fine aspect of the amazing “KBC’ show and we read that stylist Priya Patil is the one-woman army who has been instrumental in making television’s favourite host look dapper every season. Remarkably, it’s a lady stylist who’s got such an eye for current male fashion trends, and keeps in mind the age and stature of the iconic persona who dons the clothes designed. Big B has the classic look and George Clooney could also take lessons on how he’d like to appear at age 83, but without giving the impression of a super-star who’s light fades away with time.
Quoting some lines from an interview given earlier by the stylist “He will be seen in classic three-piece suits, Bandhgalas and Jodhpuris, but am introducing a Colour Play which will be a contrasting combination of colours. To elaborate, waistcoats will have colour patterns like wine against navy, black and white, powder blue and navy, pinstripes with plains, checks with plains, and more” Oh, nuances of the sophisticated ! More importantly, however grand or resplendent or suave the dress is, it’s the man (or lady) wearing them, who must carry them off with aplomb & with consummate ease !
There’s however, one or two small aberrations that I’d like to humbly point out after all the eulogy on Big B’s attire. How on earth can one wear sneakers and coloured/striped socks to go with a three piece suit ? My 37 year old son corrects me as that’s the in-thing. My other small charge is that Big B prides himself as part-Bengali having an very old association with Kolkata and of course our Jaya Didi being a Bong. Durga Pujas are on their way, why not have a Bong Moshai look also – White Dhuti, Punjabi and Shawl !
Working on Living 