Costume designer Neeta Lulla shares how a missing bead from Aishwarya Rai Bachchan’s jewellery triggered a full security alarm on the sets of Ashutosh Gowariker’s Jodhaa Akbar.
Costume designer Neeta Lulla, celebrated for crafting some of Bollywood’s most iconic looks, has long been synonymous with cinematic grandeur. Recently while recalling her work on Ashutosh Gowarikar’s magnum opus Jodhaa Akbar (2008), she shared how the actors’ jewellery was so heavily guarded that even a single missing bead once triggered a full-blown security alarm across the sets.
Reportedly, Aishwarya Rai Bachchan who played the role of Jodhaa, was decked out with over 200 kg of gold and stone-studded jewellery throughout the film.
Neeta shared the actress’ playful exasperation every time she took her outfit to her vanity van.
“Whenever I took an outfit to her vanity, the first look I got was like, aa gayi. Apart from the lehenga and choli, there was this jewellery that had to be taken care of. Two people used to hold it, and I would pack it with four threads to ensure it wasn’t pulling her down,” she said.
The ace costume designer revealed that the makers have deployed five security guards to safeguard the jewellery room. She went on to narrate a funny anecdote where a single missing bead from the jewellery triggered panic alarm.
Neeta shared, “There were five security guards manning the jewellery room. Everything was noted down, given to the actor, taken back, and re-listed. One time, a little bead fell off one of the earrings. The security guards came running to me, all panicked. He pointed and said, ‘Isme yeh bead kho gaya.’ Everyone came running, and suddenly everyone’s walkie-talkie started buzzing.”
Set in 16th century India, Jodhaa Akbar follows Mughal Emperor Akbar and Rajput princess Jodhaa Bai, whose marriage begins as a political alliance but evolves into a profound love story.
