"As far as the look is concerned, I had every minor detail in my mind while writing the script. The colours of the artistes' clothes, the props, everything was on paper. I had a certain vision of the film. When I shot it, I simply put it across. No one person is responsible for getting it right. We have all worked together to carry out my vision.

"The initial teasers of the film are the title sequence of my film. The white background and the actors dressed in white - it is surreal and abstract. Yet it conveys something about the characters. I deliberately chose white -- I didn't want any distraction from my characters. You see Tabu accepting the ring from Sanjay Suri while Sushmita doesn't accept it from Palash. So you get to see the characters, feel them.

"While Sanjay and Tabu come across as romantic, the other two are more mischievous. The overall look was supposed to be soft.

"I am very conscious about the colours I use. I knew everything had to be colour-coordinated even when I was scripting the film. While shooting, I realised lilac was emerging an important colour. It was there in the logo of the film. So it appeared in the props.

"When you work in a visual medium, the overall effect has to be aesthetically soothing. If all this comes across as fresh and different, I am happy."

Ashley Rebello, Tabu's designer:

"Meghna knew what her actors would wear. Once I had a fair idea of what she was looking for, it was easy for me to translate them.

"She was very, very clear about what Tabu would wear. She was looking for a young, fresh and a different look, specific colours and specific styles. The younger Tabu wears salwaar-kameez suits and trousers. When she is newly married, she wears sweatshirts and jeans. Maternity gowns were next -- in chiffons and georgette, pastel colours and floral prints. Then when she's going through the crisis, she is in knit T-shirts, long skirts, crushed cotton pants.

"I have used lilac and pastels in certain songs. Tabu is wearing a long chiffon dress in a song, which culminates into her wedding sequence. Her wedding dress has zardozi work, sequins and crystal jewellery.

"I have worked with Tabu in almost all her films. She is a costume designer's delight. She's not a slave to fashion and prefers to wear clothes that are in sync with the characters in her films. She would tell me, 'Ashley, if you think my character would wear such clothes, I'll wear them.'

"I designed a couple of maternity gowns and some six outfits for Sushmita's character - she wears Tabu's clothes too. So there had to be some amount of similarity. I am happy the overall look of the film comes across as fresh and different."

Reza Shariffi, Palash Sen's designer:

"Meghna and I had a couple of discussions about Palash's character.

"We gave him casuals. Even his suits are not the properly structured ones, with ties and shirts. They are more knits and linens, soft jackets, sporty stuff.

"The colours tended to beige, brown and blue. The brightest he has worn is an electric blue shirt for a song and that too because he is wearing a dull grey suit.

"I haven't used lilac for him -- I couldn't have. But there's a hint of lilac in his clothes."

India News Feature Service