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Stitching Stardom: The Designer Who Dressed Bollywood’s Villains, Stars, and Politicians | Includes personal reflections by Johny Lever, Gulshan Grover, Paresh Rawal, and others

Stitching Stardom: The Designer Who Dressed Bollywood’s Villains, Stars, and Politicians | Includes personal reflections by Johny Lever, Gulshan Grover, Paresh Rawal, and others

Madhav Agasti
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In this compelling memoir, Stitching Stardom, Madhav Agasti takes readers on a journey through his remarkable five-decade-long career as a renowned men’s dress designer. From his humble beginnings in Mumbai with no formal training, Agasti’s story is one of perseverance, passion, and adaptability. Known for his work in Bollywood, where he designed costumes for over 350 films—including the iconic villain Mogambo in Mr India (1987)—and for some of India’s most influential political figures, including Balasaheb Thackeray, Agasti’s life is a testament to the power of following one’s dreams against all odds.

With candid stories about the challenges he faced, the people he met, and the moments that defined his career, Agasti reflects on the personal and professional transformations that shaped his legacy. This book is more than just a chronicle of tailoring—it’s a celebration of resilience, a look into the worlds of fashion, entertainment, and politics, and an inspiring message about staying true to one’s passion through life’s inevitable changes.

A heartfelt tribute to those who have supported him along the way, this memoir offers a window into the life of a man who stitched together not only clothes, but memories and milestones that have defined an era.

Imprint: India Penguin Enterprise

Published: Jul/2025

ISBN: 9780143475774

Length : 152 Pages

MRP : ₹499.00

Stitching Stardom: The Designer Who Dressed Bollywood’s Villains, Stars, and Politicians | Includes personal reflections by Johny Lever, Gulshan Grover, Paresh Rawal, and others

Madhav Agasti

In this compelling memoir, Stitching Stardom, Madhav Agasti takes readers on a journey through his remarkable five-decade-long career as a renowned men’s dress designer. From his humble beginnings in Mumbai with no formal training, Agasti’s story is one of perseverance, passion, and adaptability. Known for his work in Bollywood, where he designed costumes for over 350 films—including the iconic villain Mogambo in Mr India (1987)—and for some of India’s most influential political figures, including Balasaheb Thackeray, Agasti’s life is a testament to the power of following one’s dreams against all odds.

With candid stories about the challenges he faced, the people he met, and the moments that defined his career, Agasti reflects on the personal and professional transformations that shaped his legacy. This book is more than just a chronicle of tailoring—it’s a celebration of resilience, a look into the worlds of fashion, entertainment, and politics, and an inspiring message about staying true to one’s passion through life’s inevitable changes.

A heartfelt tribute to those who have supported him along the way, this memoir offers a window into the life of a man who stitched together not only clothes, but memories and milestones that have defined an era.

Buying Options
Paperback / Hardback

Madhav Agasti

Madhav Agasti is a seventy-six-year-old men’s dress designer based in Mumbai. For over five decades, he has designed clothes for top politicians and actors from the Hindi movie industry. His clientele includes four chief ministers, two Indian presidents, and many international personalities. He started his career as a Bollywood designer with no formal training in design, and ended up designing costumes in over 350 films, mainly for villains. He then went on to design for the political class as well. His famous clients include Shiv Sena founder Balasaheb Thackeray, whose signature white shirt-style kurta and Kashmiri shawl were designed by Agasti. He also designed the iconic costume for Mogambo, the iconic villain in the 1987 blockbuster Mr India, portrayed by the late Amrish Puri. With a VIP clientele, spanning Bollywood and Indian politics, Madhav Agasti has stitched his name as one of India’s most sought-after tailors and designers.

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