By Maliha Rehman
One of the year’s most-watched dramas. One of the country’s biggest stars. And one of Pakistani fashion’s most exciting names. The drama Sher on ARY Digital, with actor Danish Taimoor playing the titular ‘lion’, became a veritable catalog for designer Emraan Rajput.
From sophisticated office scenarios to powerful action scenes to wedding events to the romantic sequences that had the audience swooning, it was an Emraan Rajput show through and through. There were bespoke suits, hand-embroidered wedding-wear and pieces from the high-street Era by Emraan Rajput for when Sher was in a casual mood.
The drama has proven to be one of Danish Taimoor’s biggest hits and may we add here that his wardrobe has added immensely to the viewing experience. Designer Emraan Rajput observes, “When the character and its metamorphosis was explained to me, I immediately knew that we had to bring out not just the suits but also the sherwanis and a hint or two of Era to depict Sher’s multifaceted style and overall journey.”
And as the drama’s many viewers know, Sher’s journey was not an easy one; traversing the optimism and ambition of youth, becoming a victim of family politics and ending up at an asylum and then, becoming jaded and more serious when he emerged victorious, exuding power and righteousness as his story proceeded. At the Emraan Rajput atelier, this colorful journey inspired a sartorial bonanza.
There were the signature formal suits in wool and tropical Italian fabric, custom-made for the actor. “I’ve always been an avid believer that a suit must be made to make an unforgettable statement. It’s the way power and opulence is communicated,” says the designer.
The wedding-wear ranged from karandi kurta-pajama sets paired with waistcoats, a kamdani embroidered kurta accompanied by a shawl with an embroidered border and, when Sher played the groom, bespoke hand-embroidered sherwanis.
Sher’s penchant for fast fashion was also very, very cool. The Era by Emraan Rajput high street line came to life on screen, running the gamut from oversized suits paired the loose bell bottom pants to short crop jackets embellished with machine embroidery, linen drop shoulder shirts and chequered blazers.
While designers and celebrities align frequently, for shoots and runway shows, when a collaboration is aimed towards enhancing a narrative, it can up the ante for TV dramas. Danish and Emraan, in fact, have worked together very frequently, but when Emraan designed for Sher, not only did Danish, the actor, look great – the drama’s viewing experience had greater impact.
So when Sher stalked in and made a statement that had his enemies balking, or when he beat up his evil cousin, or when he made romantic declarations to his lady love, you enjoyed the scene – you also noticed the neat cut of his suit, the sharp colors, the exceptional fall of the fabric.
What a ‘roar’ing success!
What do you think?