Karan Johar is one filmmaker whose name inevitably comes up when discussing fashion in Indian cinema. Over the years, his films have delivered iconic costumes that have not only stood the test of time but also set major fashion trends. Beyond his films, Johar himself is known for his distinctive personal style and willingness to experiment with fashion.
Karan Johar on what happens to used sarees
In a recent conversation with The Hollywood Reporter, Karan spoke about sustainable fashion and revealed what happens to costumes once a film’s shoot is completed. Talking about their fate, he shared, “The saris go into our godown. And then they get used in other movies.”
When asked whether audiences notice costumes being repeated across films, Johar confidently responded, “You won’t know it. And a lot of it is worn; there are extras wearing it all the time.”
He clarified that while iconic costumes are preserved to avoid recognition, most outfits are constantly recycled. “Everything gets used in other movies — it’s constantly recycled. And my wardrobe is used all the time for films,” he said. Johar added that whenever stylist Anaita Shroff Adajania works on a project, she has full access to his personal wardrobe due to their close friendship.
Ananya wore Karan`s clothes in Call Me Bae
Revealing an interesting detail, Johar shared that much of what Ananya Panday wears in the Amazon Prime Video series Call Me Bae actually comes from his own closet. “She’d come for Call Me Bae to pick up the clothes. What she does is genius. You won’t notice that Ananya Panday is wearing a lot of my clothes, because she puts it together so efficiently and beautifully,” he explained. He added that Anaita often jokes that his closet is “the best shop in the world,” frequently picking up jackets, sweatshirts, and bags.
When asked whether he gets all his clothes back, Johar admitted that some do go missing, but it rarely bothers him. “No. Some just get lost. But I don’t even know. Half the time I’ve given her things that still have tags on them. I’m a compulsive retail maniac — it’s a disease. I need rehab to stop shopping,” he said candidly.
