Nalini Sriram


Nalini Sriram is an Indian fashion costume designer and entrepreneur. She is considered one of the early pioneers of fashion designing for South Indian films.

Career

Nalini graduated with a degree in English literature and worked as a freelance writer during her early career. After marrying film producer S. Sriram, she opted to pursue a career in fashion designing and made her debut with Mani Ratnam's Roja. She continued to work for Mani Ratnam's productions, and the success of her work in Bombay attracted offers from other studios. In 2000, a particular paavadai dhavani she had made for Aishwarya Rai in Kandukondain Kandukondain triggered demand for similar products in Chennai.
Nalini has regularly collaborated in films directed by Gautham Vasudev Menon since Kaakha Kaakha. Notably, she won acclaim for her work in Vinnaithaandi Varuvaayaa.
She has also worked in the Telugu film industry, notably designing the costumes for the cast in Gautham Menon's Ye Maaya Chesave and Vikram Kumar's Manam.
Away from the film industry, Nalini co-owns the Shilpi boutique, an independent brand. She also conducts workshops and curates new collections.

Personal life

Nalini was married to film producer S. Sriram, who had headed Aalayam Productions. He died of cardiac arrest in September 2019.

Filmography