Encore for the ’80s

With a major portion of Shahid’s Jersey set in the late ’80s and early ’90s, director Tinnanuri discusses recreating the era on celluloid

At its core, Shahid Kapoor’s Jersey is a father-son drama set against the promising but unrealised cricket career of the protagonist. Writer-director Gowtam Tinnanuri’s movie — an adaptation of his 2019 Telugu film of the same name — plays out between the present day, and the late ’80s and early ’90s. Recreating the decades gone by was essential for the director, who supervised the costume department as well as the production design to ensure that the sports drama was authentic to the period.

Tinnanuri

“We were clear that this transition from the ’80s and ’90s, to the present time had to be shown visually in the most real and relatable way. We sat down and made a note of every aspect from the ’80s that we could bring back to the screen,” says Tinnanuri. For the central characters, costume designer Payal Saluja created outfits that were reminiscent of the dominant styles of the era — where Kapoor was dressed in printed shirts, leading lady Mrunal Thakur’s wardrobe consisted of high-waist jeans, patterned silk dresses and big hoop earrings.

The makers also brought back elements harking back to the good old days, including using the old Cadbury chocolate wrapper that was in circulation at the time. Producer Aman Gill says, “We wanted to stay true to the era in every way. From our visuals and styling, to the bike Shahid rides in the movie and the tiniest details like a chocolate wrapper, every element is true of the ’80s and ’90s.”

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