BEHINDWOODS CELEBRITY COLUMN

The look of actors in films according to the character they play gets a certain definition from their style of costumes, make-up, hair-do, body language and the invisible attitude. There’s however one tangible accessory that aids a multitude of interpretations not just to the look of the character but has the scope to imply the situation of the scene, convey a message without depending on dialogues or even set fashion trends. It’s the underrated eyeglasses that instantly have the potential to characterize the role as geeky, traditional, uber-cool, educated, serious, malevolent or enhance the age of a role depending on the type of frame chosen. With time, the role of these eyeglasses has also contributed to making the look of on-screen characters memorable.

 

Be it a trendy pair of sunglasses or an oversized pair of square-shaped frames, Director Balachander just noticed it once and instantly knew this was to become an inimitable style to the biggest star of India, Rajinikanth as he flips them round about in a nano second before he wears it with aplomb. The stark black frames that Padma Bhushan Kamal Haasan sported in ‘Unnaipol Oruvan’ added a certain poise and solemnity to the character he played long after he donned a parallel look in ‘Nammavar’. The sunglasses that Salman Khan tucks at the back of his shirt collar in Dabangg became a style-statement by itself leading to many of his fans following suit. After her impressive performance in ‘Maryaan’ in a rustic look, Parvathy Menon stunned in her off-screen appearance after the movie’s release with those hip frames complimented by a chic haircut too. Our very own Clooney of Tamizh cinema, actor Ajith Kumar has taken a liking to wearing tony frames akin to the guest appearance look in ‘English Vinglish’ on various occasions off-screen as well.

 

How much one simple accessory can add value to a look or a scene has been amply demonstrated in our films. Like a ready reckoner of scene predictions, when a doctor at a hospital removes his glasses to convey something, it obviously means bad news to the family. If a father or mother in an emotional scene removes their glasses, we can be ready for some tears rolling down in the next few seconds. If those glasses fall off the face and crack on the floor, it probably signifies the death of the character wearing it. If a hero (as seen in most Bhagyaraj films) removes his glasses along with the watch, it means that we’re in for an action scene fighting off the bad guys. And if a villain removes his glasses to clean and wear it again, he most certainly is hinting at his gang of men to kill the good guy before leaving the scene.

 

Glasses worn by lead characters have seen its share of stereotyping the nature of the role portrayed. You can be rest assured that if there are dual roles of the hero/heroine, one is most likely to be differentiated from the other with just a pair of glasses. If you want to establish a quick-fix look for a teacher/professor, all you have to do is make them slip on a gigantic pair of frames that almost covers half their face. From the days of ‘Khoobsurat’ to even the most recent ‘Yeh Jawaani Hai Diwaani in Hindi cinema or the common ‘Soda Buddi’ slang that is used to bully nerds in Tamizh parlance, glasses have been resorted by default to portray a boring unadventurous person and how the personality transformation to a more flamboyant or gorgeous make-over most often does away with those glasses hitherto lending a perceived uncool style quotient.

 

The welcome change is however seen in a reversal of sorts with interesting lead characters played by Arjun Kapoor in ‘2 States ‘, Bharath in ‘Kanden Kaathalai’ or a Sneha in ‘Un Samaiyal Araiyil’ that adds a nifty twist to make them look even better with those stylish frames. With the market now flooded with a slew of silhouettes, cooler palettes and teardrop frames in metallic finishes, the eyewear enthusiast is bound to get his/her ensemble prepped by taking a hint or two from our latest movie stars in their statement-making frames.

 

Fashion and movies have flirted with each other for a long time now with little wonder that latest trends get set with every well-stylized movie cast. In the words of American fashion stylist Rachel Zoe, Style is a way to say who you are without having to speak. And if there’s one accessory that transcends borders, barriers and cultures to give credence to your desired look, it has to be the eyeglasses. Fashion mavens across the world already have their eyes on Spring-Summer eyewear soiree to advocate the top trends in spectacles to bring ‘spexy’ back. Whether you opt for plain glass two-toned frames or power glasses with gradient sunnies or plan to venture outdoors with those chunky brown wayfarers, you’ve the perfect excuse to sport them in style like your favorite movie stars - that it makes you look spec-tacular.