I’ve said it before, and I’ll say it again: I am an appreciator of the arts. For me, at the heart of art lies film. As I sat in the Tiger Baby office with the young and vivacious Arjun Varain Singh, the new director who made his solo debut with Netflix’s Kho Gaye Hum Kahan, I was intrigued by the journey I was about to take into his wardrobe. Imagine combining the two things I love most—fashion and film—in one office cabin on a particularly rainy day. I could easily spend hours lost in conversation.
The Ultimate Wardrobe Heist
When asked which item he would steal from the set of Kho Gaye Hum Kahan, Arjun cheekily admits, “Full disclosure, I’ve stolen certain pieces already.” His loot? “A couple of Emad’s, Sid’s vintage shirts are in my closet right now.” Yet, there’s one elusive piece he longs for: “the crochet shirt… this beautiful, knitted crochet shirt that Sid wears. It’s like this brown, cream, woollen knitted thing. I’d definitely steal that.”
The One Shirt to Rule Them All
If Arjun had to part with his wardrobe and keep just one item, it would be “one of my silk shirts.” He explains, “I can wear that with everything… to the office, for dinner, on a flight. It’s just my staple.” His favourite? “A vintage bowling shirt that I bought from Barcelona.”
Culture on a Hanger
Arjun’s travels have gifted him with unique wardrobe gems. A standout piece is a “vintage leather jacket” from New York. He shares, “When I think of New York, I think of vintage jackets, like leather jackets… those old pictures of Marlon Brando and James Dean.”
Fashion on Film
Choosing a film that embodies his style aesthetic is tricky for Arjun. However, Wake Up Sid resonates with him: “I was a teenager when it came out… the guy is exactly like me. With T-shirts and funny-looking socks.” Nowadays, he leans towards Frances Ha, appreciating its nostalgic nod to the ’90s.
Overlooked and Repurposed
In the bustling fashion landscape of Bombay, space is precious. Arjun admits, “I wear most of my stuff,” but some items get overlooked. His solution? “I’ll just cut them up… oversized T-shirts turned into sleeveless, gungees.”
Sneaker Dreams
For Arjun, comfort and style in footwear are essential. He loves his black Doc Martens and opts for Ons sneakers for their comfort. He dreams of a shoe that combines the two: “If we can get Nikhil Kamath to develop a pair of such boot sneakers, I would definitely buy them.”
Style Experiments Gone Right (and Wrong)
Experimenting with fashion can lead to surprising results. Arjun shares, “I bought Korean pants, and now I have the entire collection in different colours.” However, not all experiments succeed. A tracksuit inspired by Ranveer Singh left him looking like a “gecko,” a look he never repeated.
Waiting for the Right Moment
Arjun eagerly awaits an occasion to wear a gifted Bodement shirt. He reveals, “I have a whole collection. I’ve been dying to wear it, but I haven’t had the chance yet.”
Unforgettable Tees
Arjun’s wardrobe houses vintage T-shirts that have been with him for years. One standout is a Guns and Roses tee, “Not just any mass-produced piece but a proper old T-shirt with little holes. I wear it whenever I can,” he shares.
Sentimental Silks
A prized possession is his grandfather’s old silk robe, which holds deep sentimental value. “It looks like something right out of The Godfather,” Arjun remarks, cherishing it as a family heirloom.
