Meet woman who made Aishwarya Rai, Sobhita Dhulipala’s wedding saree, worked with Sridevi, started with one swing machine at home, she is now

This woman is the lady behind designing special wedding attires of Aishwarya Rai and Sobhita Dhulipala as well. She was married at 16 and here is her story.

Sridevi has one of the iconic looks that will be remembered over generations. From her ‘Chandini’ era to ‘Lamhe,’ this woman is the lady behind some of the evergreen costumes. Aishwarya Rai’s wedding saree is another couture that is talked about till date and the same woman also designer new bride Sobhita Dhulipala’s heritage bridal look. This fashion designer started small with one craftsman and one sewing machine in her room.

Reportedly, the designer has worked in over 300 Bollywood films and carved her niche. A self-made woman without any connections in the industry. This is Neeta Lulla.

Sridevi was yelled at by Yash Chopra Due to This Designer

Growing up in Hyderabad, school couldn’t keep her hooked due to her distaste for academics. Reportedly, she dropped out. “My mother was always worried about my grades and if I would ever be the perfect daughter who could cook and stitch, but my father always encouraged my interest in sports,” she says. He also indulged her love for reading and bought her the then popular bi-annual magazines Seventeen and Cosmopolitan, available only in select stores. “I was quite the T-shirt-jean connoisseur, but these magazines slowly got me interested in styling, and instilled a spark for fashion,” she recalled in an old interview with Your Story.

Starting her journey at the young age of 16 Neeta Lulla finished her formal education in Dressmaking and Apparel construction from SNDT University after which she got her first job.

In an interview with the YouTube channel, Wiping Out The Norm, Neeta Lulla recalled that Sridevi wanted her to design costumes for her film, ‘Chandni’ but the ace director Yash Chopra was unhappy with how Lulla was dressed. Recalling the moment, Neeta shared, “He called her in front of me. I was in my regular work clothes which was a suit. He looked at me and said, ‘Tumko desi kapde banane aate hai.’ I looked at him, first toh I was dumbstruck I did not know what to say I kept quiet, then he called Sridevi, and said, ‘Tumne is ladki ko bhej diya, yeh kya kapde banayegi. Yeh toh suit mein aayi hai. Isko pata bhi hoga ki kapde kaise banege.’ So I don’t know what the conversation was.”

She was soon offered her first film project to style. Taking the opportunity head on Neeta Lulla impressed everyone with her creativity and skill and in no time became one of the most celebrated designers of Bollywood having worked with leading directors and actors of the industry.

She has worked for Manikarnika, Gauthami Putra Satakarni, Jodha Akhbar, Devdas, Mohenjo Daro, Lamhe, Taal, Hum Dil De Chuke Sanam, International Khiladi, Hero No. 1, Hum Aapke Hai Kaun, Darr, Hum Hai Rahi Pyar Ke, Khal Nayak, Roop Ki Rani Choron Ka Raja, not to mention Hollywood films like One Night With The King, Mistress Of Spices, Bride & Prejudice and Provoked

In 2005 Neeta Lulla launched her flagship store in Mumbai, to cater to her growing global clientele. Bridal, trousseau consultancy and diffusion wear are the primary offerings of Neeta Lulla label.