This is how Aishwarya Rai Bachchan achieved her look in ‘Sarbjit’…

Aishwarya Rai Bachchan, in her upcoming film ‘Sarbjit’, plays Sarbjit Singh’s sister Dalbir Kaur, who relentlessly tried to free her brother from the allegations. Aishwarya’s character in the film covers a long span of time on screen and thus, her appearance also evolves. Omung Kumar, director of ‘Sarbjit’, recently revealed how they worked on her desired look.

May be one day I will make a film that will showcase the beautiful woman Ash is, but Sarbjit was a film that went beyond looks and glamour to focus on grit. My biggest triumph was when fans came to the Wagah Border or the India Gate for Ash’s autograph and failing to recognise her, would start looking around for her,” he said.

‘Sarbjit’ is a biopic on Sarbjit Singh, an Indian farmer who was convicted in Pakistan on charges of spying and terrorism. He spent 23 long years inside the prison. While he was counting days to walk free, it was his sister Dalbir Kaur who put in the last bit of effort to free her brother. However, he passed away in 2013. His inmates were accused of torturing him to death.

From Sarbjit’s conviction to his death, a series of unexpected incidents unfolded. Naturally, Aishwarya’s character has several shades; that of a disheartened sister, that of a woman who is trying to stand strong in the face of disaster and keep her family together. In the process, she ages.

“In the film you also see Ash as a young, carefree girl, happily married and pregnant, before some personal tragedies slowly bleach out the colours from her face, clothes and the backdrop. The eight months when she has no idea what happened to her brother, add lines of worry which get deeply entrenched when she learns his whereabouts. Struggling to keep the family together, Dalbir starts to grey, and when brother and sister finally meet in prison, they comment on how their baal has turned safed. I would apply make-up on myself to show Ash how it would look on her. I also gave her a mole on the left cheek and played with its size. It was my signature dot,” the director said.

Does Aishwarya resemble the real Dalbir Kaur? “Dalbir is short and small, Ash is taller. But unless you are making a film on an iconic figure like Gandhi or Nehru, you can take such creative liberties. Even Priyanka (Chopra) didn’t look anything like the real Mary Kom. For me it was important to replicate the mannerisms and attitude, not the look, and transform the actress completely. That’s what makes Sarbjit my film,” he explains.

‘Sarbjit’ also stars Richa Chadha as Sarbjit’s wife and Randeep Hooda in the titular role. It is slated to release on May 20.

Also Read: SARBJIT’, A STORY THAT NEEDS TO BE TOLD: JACKKY BHAGNANI

Ranjini Maitra

Journalist. Writer. Reader. Enthu cutlet. Mood-swing machine. Day dreamer. Sandwiched between ‘live life fully’ and ‘lose some weight’. Mantra of life: Love and love more.