Cinematic Love

MUZAFFAR AND MEERA ALI, FILMMAKERS AND DESIGNERS

Two decades ago, fate brought Muzaffar and Meera Ali together when he picked her for a role in a small film on Sufism. “After my father passed away, the Kotwara legacy and responsibility came in my hands. I knew it needed a woman’s touch and my ideas,” recalls Muzaffar.

Today, the couple spearheads the luxury fashion label Kotwara whose embroidered lehengas and saris are worn by the likes of Sonam Kapoor, Malaika Arora Khan and Kareena Kapoor Khan. Meera says, “We developed a working relationship while dealing with craftspeople, upgrading their skills and building the brand. This helped us in becoming each other’s sounding board.”

Muzaffar says, “She is an indispensable part of my thinking.” The two manage to take out time for themselves even after being so connected. While Muzaffar explores his many creative passions such as shooting for movies, painting and poetry, Meera turns to architecture and interior design to fuel her personal interests. She says, “Spending time with yourself is very important because those are inspirational moments and you come back with fresher ideas.”

Talking about inspiration, Meera explains, “You’ll be inspired by your partner only when you respect them. The relationship hits a roadblock if your ideas are always rejected. You might not always agree but there’s a way to disagree and that comes out of pure respect, not even out of love.”

Their secret

“Never go to bed upset because the more time passes, the tougher it is to close the note,” says Meera. For both Meera and Muzaffar, giving space and respecting each other comes before anything else. “Always listen to your partner before sharing your opinions,” she says.