Aditi Rao Hydari had a good 2020. In fact, she’s been having a few good years now! Often times, the tenure of an actor in the film industry can be excruciatingly brief: a spate of curiosity, a flamboyant debut and then a discreet retreat to anonymity. But with each new release, whether in Hindi, Tamil, Telugu or Malayalam film industry, Rao Hydari has only dug her heels further in. Working indie cred with commercial success, the actor, dancer and singer has refused to play it safe—and with good reason. She has arresting looks, the poise and the grace of a classically-trained dancer as well as stellar acting chops to carve a niche for herself.
Her almost-perfect demeanor reminds you that she comes from two royal lineages, while her nonchalance reinstates she’s every inch the witty, charming girl-next-door.
Spend a few minutes with her, and her infectious positivity takes hold. And it is this mettle and honesty that have won the multi-hyphenate a legion of fans, including 5.9 million followers on Instagram (at the time of going to press). Here, she paints a picture of her life in lockdown, her love for cinema, and tells us about her love for handlooms and why it was a dream-come-true to play the quintessential Sabyasachi bride.
“Difficult times help us recognise our priorities”
Like most of us, Rao Hydari struggled to stay safe, strong and sound when the world came to a standstill due to the coronavirus-induced lockdown. “The first two months, I was really anxious. There was so much information (and the lack of it thereof), making it all too confusing,” she reveals. From spending time with family to collaborating with Cancelled Plans, a brand that works with waste that ends up in landfills or oceans, to launch an athleisure collection, she confesses to finding some silver linings during her downtime. Her biggest learning though over these last few months: “To be happy, we actually need so little. Most of us are constantly running—we don’t have time to talk, think or even breathe. Money comes, money goes, but what we are actually running after is happiness.”
“I had a good 2020”
“At the beginning of 2020, I did a Tamil-language psychological thriller film called Psycho, and it was a huge success,” she shares excitedly. Post lockdown, when Rao Hydari’s shoot schedules resumed, “what struck to me are the little things we take for granted. There’s so much creative energy on a movie set and so many people to help you out. But when you are doing things on your own, you further appreciate the fact that every single team member plays such an important role.” With the shuttering of theatres, the future seems uncertain, but the craft of cinema will always stand strong for the star. The movie magic isn’t dead she reaffirms. It’s no surprise her two feature releases, Malayalam-language romantic drama called Sufiyum Sujatayum and Telugu-language action thriller film V, on OTT platform in a pandemic-struck world were adored by both, critics and audiences. “At the time I kept thinking, ‘Why can’t we wait for a theatrical release?’. After it aired, I saw the enormous response it got and how it reached viewers from across the world,” she goes on to add.
Now that she’s tasted success on OTT, I ask what we can expect to see her headlining in next? “I finished filming three projects including the rom-com Hey Sinamika. I am so grateful to be able to go back to work and have these wonderful opportunities. In 2021, I have a Telugu film, two Hindi films, a Tamil movie and a Malayalam one lined-up. There are projects in multiple languages, which is something I have really enjoyed.” Rao Hydari’s film roles in diverse dialects amply demonstrate her versatile range. “When people ask me how I manage to translate my craft in so many languages or cultures, I always tell them that it is always about the people you work with.”
“I love traditional Indian wear”
Much like her silver screen trajectory, Aditi Rao Hydari has stellar sartorial track record—part of the reason she can pull off anything is that sylphlike frame and a preternatural poise. She juggles between local and international labels, often flaunting looks that are understated-yet-impactful. “But I love traditional wear. In lockdown, I have lived in effortless Indian clothes,” she announces, “I love saris, lehengas, sharara sets, anarkalis, kurtas. I love them all—there is no one favourite silhouette,” she chimes in. But Rao Hydari has been a risk-taker from the start—she hasn’t shied away from wearing lehenga skirts with polo necks and styling a kurta with jeans and a belt. “When people think of traditional clothes, they feel the need to match everything and aim for perfection. I like to carry my Indian wear with the same ease as I wear my sweatpants. You should wear the clothes, the clothes shouldn’t wear you,” she professes.
One look at her appearances and it’s clear she’s a fan of classic saris. “My mother and grandmother only wear handlooms, so I grew up with a lot of appreciation for textiles. One of my most favourite handloom fabrics is chanderi—it’s so delicate and sheer, and it boasts that gorgeous sheen. I am also very partial to Benarasi and Kanjeevaram saris—they are just timeless.” Rao Hydari likes to style her conventional ensembles with temple jewellery or vintage jadau pieces. She responds with her brand of candidness, “I don’t like being overladen with accessories. The wearer should really shine through, and not just the jewellery.” If she has to edit her bijoux box down to three jewels? “My favourite is a matha patti. I like to call it a halo, it can make you glow. I also rely on classic jhumkas and chokers on several occasions.”
“Sabyasachi has the soul of an artist”
Aditi Rao Hydari’s penchant for indigenous weaves is conspicuous. So, when it came to playing dress up with Sabyasachi Mukherjee for Khush Wedding’s photo shoot against the opulent Taj Falaknuma Palace, Hyderabad as the backdrop, the actor was both, an ideal muse and an ardent admirer. “If I could do that 24/7, 365 days a year, I would do it. Sabyasachi and Sonia were on Zoom the whole time during the shoot, and the best part is they gave me so much freedom to even style some of the exquisite pieces that Sabyasachi had especially created for this shoot,” she recalls. “I really respect artists. There’s so much beauty and sensitivity in everything that Sabyasachi does—I love that about him. He has been instrumental in creating a movement and so much awareness about textiles, crafts and craftsmen. And it stems from his genuine love for it. I get really excited when I get to dress in his beautiful clothes,” she confesses.
“I want to get married in a haveli by a beach”
Rao Hydari, who has played a bride on reel life and on the runways several times, admits she doesn’t have a wedding on the cards any time soon. “These thing happen by magic. When they do, one speaks about them.” But the actor is quite clear about the wedding setup. “I would like to get married in an old haveli by a beach. I would like a white theme with lots of jasmine flowers everywhere. The space should be decked up in warm lighting and lots of diyas. I would make sure that once the celebrations are over, I kick off my heels and run to the beach.”
Editor-in-Chief: Sonia Ullah
Photography: Farhan Hussain
Fashion Editor: Vikas Rattu
Fashion Stylist: Tanishq Malhotra
Assisted by: Archita Elwadhi
Hair & Makeup: Elton J Fernandez
Location: Taj Falaknuma Palace, Hyderabad
All clothing: Sabyasachi
All jewellery: Sabyasachi Jewelry
As seen in Khush Wedding 28. Buy this issue here