Rani Mukherji goes in for a makeover with Sabyasachi

Designer Manish Malhotra has just lost a client. Actress Rani Mukherji has shifted her loyalty to designer Sabyasachi Mukherjee. Beginning with Baabul, she will now exclusively wear Sabyasachi's creations.

Rani's association with Manish Malhotra dates back to her Kuch Kuch Hota Hai days. Styled by Manish, Rani got the much-needed second lease of life in this film, and became a star from a 'badly-dressed' fresher. But that was then.

A source says, "Manish was designing costumes for Kajol in KKHH, when Karan requested him to work on Rani's costumes too. Critics had criticised Rani for being badly dressed in films. So, she wanted a designer who could give her a complete makeover." Finally, Manish consented (which had disappointed his best friends Kareena Kapoor and Preity Zinta then) and gave Rani a complete makeover.

Soon, Rani became a name to reckon with in Bollywood. "Gradually, Rani started wearing Manish's outfits for social gatherings too. Soon they became friends and thereafter, all her directors knew that Rani's costumes were to be made by none other than Manish Malhotra," says our source.

Some say that it's only monotony that has forced Rani to go in for a new designer. Apparently, she feels that her look is getting repetitive. "Rani is still very fond of Manish as a person, but she has been wearing Manish's clothes for too long. She wanted to do something really different for Baabul. Incidentally, Ravi Chopra wanted Manish to design clothes for Rani, but she put her foot down and insisted on Sabyasachi," our source reveals.

Rani's demand that only Sabyasachi design her clothes in Baabul surprised director Ravi Chopra too. When contacted, director Ravi Chopra said, "It was Rani who suggested Sabyasachi's name for my film Baabul. We wanted to work with Manish, but finally we had to drop the idea because he was working with Rani in Kabhie Alvida Naa Kehna. I was skeptical about the fact that the costumes might look the same. In fact, even Rani wanted to change her look. She seems to be very fond of Sabyasachi and insisted that we work with him."

Was Sabyasachi able to step into Manish's shoes? "I think Sabyasachi understands Rani very well. Rani has three different looks in Baabul. That of a girl, of a married woman and, finally of a widow who is remarried. I was very clear that I didn't want the kind of stuff Rani has been wearing over the years," said Chopra.

After Baabul, Rani is so impressed with Sabyasachi's work that she has even decided to recommend his name to Aditya Chopra and other top-ranking producers.

Naturally, this has upset Manish Malhotra. Detractors feel that Rani is promoting Sabyasachi to ward off competition. Manish will continue working for Preity and Kareena, while Rani will create magic with Sabyasachi.

Sabyasachi, of course, couldn't have asked for more. "Rani is a dear friend of mine and I am glad that she wanted me to design her outfits in Baabul. She has the right kind of attitude to carry a particular costume. I am looking forward to work with her in future," said Sabyasachi after the music launch of Baabul a week ago.

We tried to get in touch with Rani for her version, but she was unavailable for comment.