In this episode, Pooja unpicks the seams of cinematic style with Theia Tekchandaney - a quiet powerhouse whose understated brilliance has shaped the iconic aesthetics of Jism, Paap and Neerja, to name a few.
Theia joins Pooja to reveal how she uses fabric and fit to broadcast a character's soul before they ever speak a line of dialogue.
They journey through the creation of Bipasha Basu's sultry, noir elegance, and the bold style risks that birthed John Abraham’s signature 'suits-and-chappals' look in Jism. From there she maps the transition to the 'Ethereal Himalayan' spirit of Paap where all her technical expertise garnered in NIFT came to the fore.
Theia also shares the high-stakes reality of life on set - from the grit of aging costumes for 120 Bahadur to the adrenaline of crafting Arshad Warsi's Munna Bhai M.B.B.S wardrobe overnight, and recounts literally stapling herself to Priyanka Chopra to save a live performance.
Beyond the glamour, Theia opens up about the discipline behind the craft, emphasizing a work ethic rooted in humility and a restless curiosity. She discusses why she insists her assistants approach every job with a beginner's mind, ensuring that ego never gets in the way of discovery.

A Conversation With Dino Morea
53:51

A Conversation With Gunjan Augustine Sah
56:15

A Conversation With Shagufta Rafique
58:14