Munish Sood
MANDI: In the world of cinema, storytelling doesn’t rely solely on scripts and direction. Sometimes, a character’s journey is stitched into fabric, hinted at through a silhouette or amplified by the right colour at the right moment.
One rising voice in this visual storytelling is Rakshita Sharma, a costume designer and stylist from Mandi in Himachal Pradesh whose creative journey is steadily lighting up India’s film and OTT landscape.
Her transition from the quiet Himalayan valleys to the high-energy nerve centre of Mumbai’s entertainment industry isn’t one of overnight success, but of deliberate, layered evolution — much like the characters she styles.
“I was always fascinated by the way clothes speak on screen — how they can reflect a character’s mind, journey, or even their silence,” she says.
Passed out from prestigious NIFT
Rakshita’s creative roots were nurtured at the National Institute of Fashion Technology (NIFT) where she trained for four years in the discipline of design. Her break into the entertainment industry came in 2018, during an internship with NY Studio under the mentorship of renowned costume designer Nidhi Yasha, known for her work on mythological and historical television series.
On a bustling Colors TV set, Rakshita witnessed the behind-the-scenes world of costume and production for the first time, a moment she describes as her real introduction to the magic of visual storytelling.
Her early years in the industry also included styling musicians for MX Player’s Times of Music and contributing to a runway collection for designer Vikram Phadnis, where actress Huma Qureshi walked as showstopper. These experiences fine-tuned her skills in celebrity styling and aesthetic design for both screen and stage.
Pandemic pivot: Fashion in the virtual world
Like many in creative industries, Rakshita faced a crossroads during the COVID-19 pandemic. With film sets shuttered and shoots delayed, she returned to her hometown in Himachal but refused to let the pause stall her progress.
She took up a unique design role with mobile gaming giant Games2win, styling avatars for virtual characters. It was a new realm for her where fashion met tech, and storytelling unfolded in pixels instead of frames.
But it wasn’t long before the film world came calling again. Later in 2020, Rakshita joined the costume team of acclaimed designer Niharika Bhasin on an Amazon Prime web series, an experience she describes as her “true launch” into the world of professional filmmaking.
“That was the moment it all began — real film work, a real team, and a chance to contribute to something much bigger than a design sketch,” she reflects.
Rising filmography: Where every costume tells a story
Since that breakthrough, Rakshita has built an impressive filmography, working on projects across genres, platforms, and emotional tones. Her versatility is evident in her contributions to films, web series, and even musical dramas — collaborating with top directors and production houses.
12th Fail
Director: Vidhu Vinod Chopra | Lead: Vikrant Massey
A deeply emotional, grounded story that recently won the National Award for Best Feature Film. Rakshita’s costumes added layers of realism to characters navigating resilience and failure.
Tere Ishq Mein (Upcoming)
Director: Aanand L. Rai | Cast: Dhanush, Kriti Sanon
Touted as a spiritual successor to Raanjhanaa, this upcoming film allowed Rakshita to blend nostalgia with fresh visual language through clothing.
Drishyam 2
Director: Abhishek Pathak | Cast: Ajay Devgn, Tabu, Akshaye Khanna
In this edge-of-the-seat thriller, she ensured costume continuity and subtle styling shifts that mirrored the film’s suspense-driven narrative.
Call Me Bae (Amazon Prime)
Produced by Dharma Productions | Star: Ananya Panday
Set in a luxurious, urban world, this OTT series demanded high-fashion styling that aligned with the protagonist’s journey of reinvention.
Hai Junoon
Director: Abhishek Sharma | Platform: Jio Hotstar
A vibrant Indian musical drama released this year, starring Jacqueline Fernandez, Neil Nitin Mukesh, and a troupe of professional singers and dancers. With over 40 musical numbers, the show was a visual extravaganza. Rakshita led the design of performance and dance costumes, bringing energy, glamor, and rhythm to every scene.
“This was one of the most creatively fulfilling projects — so much color, energy, and emotion all stitched into costume,” she shares.
Her additional credits include Jogira Sara Ra Ra, Crash Course and Hai Junoon — all showcasing her ability to adapt to diverse storytelling formats and production demands.
Himalayan roots, Mumbai mindset
What distinguishes Rakshita is not just her technical skill, but her emotional depth, a sensibility she credits to her upbringing in the quietude of Himachal Pradesh.
“I am grateful to all the directors, producers, designer friends, and the entire team who helped me achieve this milestone in my life. Truly grateful.”, she sums up.
“There’s a certain stillness you grow up with in the mountains. It makes you observant — you start noticing the little details people often miss. That listening — to characters, moods, and emotions — is what I bring into every costume I design,” she explains.
Now based in Mumbai, the heart of India’s entertainment engine, she carries those Himalayan instincts with her — blending serenity with speed, subtlety with style.
