Konkona Sen Sharma channels Lakshmi Das

In Gour Hari Dastaan, Konkona Sen Sharma plays Lakshmi Das, the wife of freedom fighter Gaur Hari Das. As it turns out, Lakshmi herself styled Koko down to the last detail.

While it wasn’t much of an effort, Lakshmi had to go through materials from Konkona’s select wardrobe used for the movie. She picked a mix of khadi and cotton sari for Konkona.

Sources from the set also said Lakshmi Das was present all through the costume trials. Konkona was very touched with the gesture. She shares, “I was keen on meeting her as soon as I finished reading the script. She was the perfect foil to Das, a conscience keeper who had to balance the dogged determination of Das with the rest of the family, especially her son who felt his father was wasting his time and life.

Lakshmiji took me on a guarded tour of her Dahisar house. From handling the utensils in the kitchen to preparing tea for her husband... from the ethnic saris she wore to the handkerchief she clutched in her hand all the time, she shared every habit and attitude with me.

Her soft spokenness was a trait I used in the film. My silences, glances and speaking with the eyes just like Mrs Das, greatly enhances the emotional impact of key scenes. Even her walk, shy smile and rather winsome way of protesting against her husband were important traits I witnessed and imbibed during those three days that I spent at the Das’ home. Besides, she spoke at length about the crucial junctures  in their life and how she reacted to each situation.”