Today, I am more into costume designing because today fashion designing is only about massaging star egos and making them look good. At my age, I am more comfortable with something more concrete.

Costume designing, is about dressing the character, to recreate a different era and transport the viewers to a different plane. It is about imagination and vision. Gandhi won the Oscar, but how many people inculcated it's way of disciplined functioning? The chaotic and illogical way of making films still continues.

But Lagaan is a landmark since it shows that one can take a risk, have original thinking and then achieve success. Change guarantees new insights. Expensive and elaborate films do not necessarily mean an Oscar. Gandhi was not a costume extravaganza, yet it won several awards.

In Hollywood, the buzz for Lagaan is very strong. Even it's costumes have been subject of conversation. The boys have done a wonderful job of promoting the film. Let's keep our fingers crossed for the film. I respect Aamir's choice for choosing another designer for his outfit at the 74th Annual Academy Awards. He is a stickler for perfection, like me and I hope that the other person fulfills what he needs.

When Lagaan was nominated for the Oscars, Ashutosh Gowarikar told me that every designer in the city was asking to design for him. But he chose his Bhanutai and I am glad. There is a regal air of the sherwani that I have designed for him. It's made of raw silk with buttons and collar embroidered in white. I feel there is an increasing awareness for Indian design and costume in the West. And since most will turn up for the Oscars in black tie, our boys in sherwanis will surely stand out.

Bhanu Athaiya is the Oscar award winning costume designer for the film Gandhi. She has also designed the costumes for Lagaan and Ashutosh Gowarikar's outfit for the 74th Annual Academy Awards.