Vidya Balan's seduction in The Dirty Picture would not have been half as effective if not for the outfits she wears in the film. And to think they were designed by someone who's not even trained for the job. Niharika Khan, whose brother is the famous costume designer Arjun Bhasin, has designed costumes in films like Khoya Khoya Chand and Band Bajaa Baaraat.

Niharika speaks to Patcy N about Vidya Balan's sexy outfits in the film. How did you decide on the costumes? It is always a growing process; your inputs come together with the art department, the director of photography, and, of course, the director.

So you read the script, you have your ideas, you do a presentation, you make the sketches, you ask the director what he is looking for and then put it together. You show the director how it's going to look, and you tailor it to suit the actor who will be wearing the clothes, especially if you are making a glamorous film.

Is it true you made 150 costumes for Vidya Balan? I did about 135 costumes and we have used almost 100. There are smaller scenes in the film which also required costume changes since she plays an actress, and there are some main costumes for the main scenes.