Fashion is a 2008 Bollywood drama film directed by Madhur Bhandarkar. It stars Priyanka Chopra, Kangana Ranaut, and Mugdha Godse in lead roles, with Arjan Bajwa, Samir Soni, and Raj Babbar in supporting roles.
The film is a realistic take on the fashion industry, showing the rise and fall of a supermodel. It received critical acclaim for its powerful storytelling, strong performances, and impactful message. Let’s take a deeper look at Fashion.
Story and Screenplay
The movie follows Meghna Mathur (Priyanka Chopra), a small-town girl who dreams of becoming a top model. She moves to Mumbai and enters the fashion world, facing challenges, competition, and personal struggles. As she climbs the ladder of success, she gets caught up in the dark side of the industry, including ego clashes, drug abuse, and emotional breakdowns.
The film also follows the story of Shonali (Kangana Ranaut), a supermodel battling addiction, and Janet (Mugdha Godse), a struggling model trying to make ends meet. Their stories highlight the harsh realities behind the glamour.
The screenplay is engaging and emotional, keeping the audience invested. The film does not shy away from showing the dark side of fame, making it one of the most impactful films in this genre.
Acting Performance
Priyanka Chopra delivers one of her best performances as Meghna. She portrays her character’s journey with depth and intensity, making her role memorable.
Kangana Ranaut steals the show as Shonali. Her performance is raw, emotional, and highly praised by critics. She won a National Award for her role.
Mugdha Godse gives a convincing performance as Janet, adding to the film’s realism.
The supporting cast, including Arjan Bajwa and Samir Soni, do justice to their roles, enhancing the film’s overall impact.
Direction and Technical Aspects
Madhur Bhandarkar’s direction is excellent, bringing out the harsh realities of the fashion industry. He keeps the story realistic, emotional, and gripping.
The cinematography captures the glamour and struggles beautifully, while the editing keeps the narrative tight. The dialogues are powerful and thought-provoking, adding depth to the film.
Music and Background Score
The music, composed by Salim-Sulaiman, fits the film perfectly. Songs like “Mar Jaawan” and “Fashion Ka Jalwa” became popular and match the theme of the movie.
The background score enhances the emotional moments, making the audience feel every high and low of the characters’ journeys.
Positives and Negatives
Positives:
- Powerful performances by Priyanka Chopra and Kangana Ranaut
- Realistic and engaging storytelling
- Strong direction by Madhur Bhandarkar
- Hard-hitting message about the fashion industry
- Memorable music and background score
Negatives:
- A bit slow in some parts
- Some predictable moments
Box Office and Public Response
Fashion was a box office success, earning both critical and commercial appreciation. Audiences praised its realistic portrayal of the fashion industry and the outstanding performances.
Critics highly appreciated Priyanka Chopra and Kangana Ranaut’s performances, with Kangana winning a National Award for her role.
Final Verdict
Fashion is a must-watch for those who love intense dramas with strong performances. It is a thought-provoking and emotional journey into the fashion world, showing both its beauty and its struggles. If you enjoy realistic and meaningful cinema, this film is definitely worth watching.
Rating: 4/5
