The many faces of Sudha
Sudha Chandran may play the same old mean-spirited vixen on most of her shows, but she's never caught looking the same
Reena Thapar Kapoor
She has been in the business for almost as long as the business has been running. For the longest time, actress Sudha Chandran was associated with her Nache Mayuri image. But then the danseuse/actress took to television, and she took to it in a 'bad' way. The actress has played vamp on practically every show she's part of. From a loud, over-the-top Ramola Sikand of Kahiin Kissi Roz fame to a vixen GK (Gaytri Kaul) on K Street Pali Hill, Chandran worked hard to create a new look for every character she played.
IN CHARACTER
Ramola Sikand (Kahiin kissi roz)
"That's my claim to fame. Whereever I go today, people recognise me as Ramola Sikand. Initially when I started shooting for Kahiin Kissi Roz I didn't much pay attention to the look of my character, but I soon realised that she was becoming a style icon. Whatever she did became an instant rage. Almost all the jewellery I wore on that show was from my days in college. The trademark long bindi was a fashion tip I picked up from my mother. I remember she'd decorate her bindis and I followed this trend."
Gayatri Kaul (K Street Pali Hill)
"K Street Pali Hill's Gayatri Kaul is very glamorous. I had to lose a lot of weight for this character. I was told that I'd be required to wear stunning saris so I tried to work on my body. Her noodle-strap blouses and chic hairdos speak volumes about her personality. Balaji's stylist Nim Sood is the one who sketches the look for the K-shows and I just take it a step ahead and add my own flavour to it. She isn't too garish like Ramola, GK's menace is in her eyes and body language."
Maa (pratima)
"In Pratima I donned the Bengali look. Most of the ethnic saris on the show were picked up by Rani Mukherji's mother. I remember a veretan choreographer had said, 'Sudha, tujh mein kuch dayan wali baat hai' (You have something vampish about you). I think my producers too identified that. Why else would they capitalise on my negative image so much? The tikka and the jewellery were very Bengali. The credit for the look goes to Raja and Jyoti Mukherji. This character is special – I have even won an award for it."
Renuka Chaudhary (kyunki saas bhi kabhi bahu thi)
"I have been egging Ekta Kapoor to give me a convincing, positive character to play. Renuka in Kyunki Saas Bhi Kabhi Bahu Thi was a small cameo. She was a judge and had to look simple, but stern. I think I have expressive eyes which help me play my characters. I only wore starched cotton saris here, with my hair pulled back in a bun. It gave my character an aura of simplicity and class."
Vasudha (tumhari disha)
"My character in Tumhari Disha is very different from anything I've done before. This is the first time I've faced the camera without make-up. The mirror-work halter blouses, with simple chiffon saris helped me stand out. Another aspect that worked for Vasudha is her intricate, oxidised jewellery."
Thakurayin (maalamal weekly)
"I can't thank Priyadarshan enough for giving me Maalamal Weekly. I made a comeback in films with that powerful character. She is the thakurayin (landlady) of the village. Being a village woman, she isn't 'propah' in her dressing. He kaajal is smudged and she wears her hair loose. In fact, her jewellery too is not in sync with her attire. It's all that and more that got her noticed in a crowd of stalwarts."
| Chandran as Ramola with her trademark bindi |
Anupamaa
Debate Mansion
