Fashion

Released in 2008, Fashion is an intriguing Bollywood drama that unwinds the glamor-filled world of high-stakes fashion. Directed by Madhur Bhandarkar, this movie stars the talented Priyanka Chopra Jonas, the multifaceted Kangana Ranaut, and the captivating Mugdha Godse. Known for his realistic and hard-hitting filmmaking, Bhandarkar meticulously crafts the film to reveal the passion, ambition, and chaos that prevails behind the stunning facades of the fashion industry.

Fashion is underscored by the courageous journey of its lead character named Meghna Mathur, enacted by Priyanka Chopra Jonas. She's a small-town girl hailing from Chandigarh, who dreams of ruling the high-fashion runway. Embodied with tenacity and a dream-filled gaze, Meghna represents countless small-town girls who aspire to make their mark in the uber-glamorous world of fashion. Seemingly naive yet brimming with talent, she's determined to challenge the norms and break through the established gateways of fashion.

Chopra's portrayal of the character skillfully traverses the conflict between her ambition and reality, from her initial struggles being a novice in the intimidating world of fashion to her rise as a top model. She proves her acting prowess by conveying Meghna's evolution, which encapsulates her dreams, insecurities, and resilience in a seamless manner.

Kangana Ranaut, highly appreciated for her authentic acting skills, graces the screen as Shonali Gujral. A supermodel, who used to be at the top of her game, she has started slipping due to multiple personal crises and unabated substance abuse. Ranaut intricately portrays the character's erratic glamour, tumultuous personal life, and the dark struggles she faces behind her glamorous facade, thus painting a gripping picture of fame's destructive side.

Mugdha Godse plays the character Janet Sequeira, a supporting friend and sidekick to Meghna. She instills life into her character with her natural performance, making Janet both endearing and impactful. Janet's journey is unique, navigated through her grounded outlook, showing a different side of the fashion industry - relatively more real, relatable, and less whirlwind.

Fashion goes beyond being a typical rags-to-riches tale or a script centered around glamour and glimmer. It plunges into the deep alleys of the fashion industry and brings to the fore its associated undercurrents. We see ample depictions of fierce competition, the fast-paced life, the high-pressure environment, the ruthlessness, and the compromises that often end up pushing their participants towards unfavorable paths.

The film showcases an intricate web of characters and their relationships embedded within the world of fashion. It explores various dimensions that broaden our understanding of the industry, including how models' personal lives intertwine with their professional ones and how the show-business often extracts a heavy toll on their well-being.

Fashion has an evocative soundtrack too, composed by Salim-Sulaiman. The music underscores the narrative, adding emotions to the characters. The film features delightful montages of fashion shows, ramp walks, flashbulbs, paparazzi, and after-parties, creating a convincing aura of the fashion world.

Despite unfolding in a glitzy and glamorous world, Fashion maintains an undertone of reality that tugs at your heartstrings. It's a masterful deconstruction of a world that seems lush and inviting yet can often be perilously judgmental and uninviting.

Overall, Fashion is a poignant depiction of the life and struggles of the people navigating the fashion industry, filtered through Bhandarkar's trademark lens of realism. The performances delivered by Priyanka Chopra Jonas, Kangana Ranaut, and Mugdha Godse are stellar, bringing depth and credibility to their characters. The film leaves you contemplating the hefty price one might have to pay for success and recognition in the world where "fashion" is not just about clothes and trends but a way of life, a mirror reflecting the intricacies of human nature and desire.