Ashwin Kakumanu
Ashwin Kakumanu

Punk n' pop: Actor Ashwin Kakumanu's wardrobe essentials

From Robert Downey Jr’s sunglasses in Civil War to Arnold Schwarzenegger’s leather jacket in Terminator, here’s actor Ashwin’s fashion A-list 

Actor Ashwin Kakumanu doesn’t just act in movies, he literally wears them on his sleeve! From his impressive memorabilia collection to his crossover pop-culture T-shirts, Ashwin’s love for cinema is more than evident. What’s cool is that he’s also into cosplay (costume play)! 

Career-wise, 2017 will see him take on the role of a brooding, creatively frustrated video game designer alongside Bollywood actor Abhay Deol, in Idhu Vedhalam Sollum Kadhai. After Vikram Vedha, this is yet another contemporary take on the Vedalam-Vikramaditya folktale. 

Pop attack

"I am a very 'In with pop culture' kinda guy," claims Ashwin when asked about his favourite t-shirts. "I love crossover graphics like there was a T-shirt I had with Garfield as the Godfather. This overlapping of TV shows and movies is pretty cool. There are several websites that have pop-culture inspired T-shirts but my favourite is threadless.com. They have excellent quality apparel.” From ` 1500 onwards. On threadless.com  

Retro- futuristic fashion 

Most of what Ashwin loves are things that he may have spotted in a movie or a music video.  “I watched the new Ghostbusters movie and saw a really cool pair of steampunk glasses that Kate McKinnon was wearing. I looked all over to get those!” He also saw a pair of Police sunglasses that he saw Robert Downey Jr wearing in Civil War. “I searched and finally got them online!” `1,300 onwards. On steampunkgoggles.com

Jackets up!

Although Ashwin buys most of his jackets from outside India, there are a couple of options he goes for in India as well. “The first leather jacket that I saw and really wanted was the one Arnold Schwarzenegger wore in Terminator. Those were really cool!” `6,500 onwards. Zara at Phoenix MarketCity. Details: 04430083700

A collector’s dream 

Ashwin’s favourite thing to do on his travels is to collect memorabilia from his favourite movies. He prides on a collection based on the characters Batman, Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles, Rocky and Terminator, as well as others from the Marvel comics world. He also dabbles with making sets for his action figures. The actor loves getting into character not just on-screen, but for cosplays too! “Last year, I played Wolverine. I thought it was pretty neat, because I had grown my beard,” says Ashwin.

Classic kicks

The Adidas Superstar sneakers are on Ashwin’s must-have wardrobe list. A special edition, this shoe was originally launched in 1969 and quickly came to be known as something that NBA players wore. “The shell-toe design is the unique aspect of the shoe,” says Ashwin. Called “The Sneaker with the Shell Toe”, these shoes also come in full-grain leather, serrated 3-stripes and a rubber cupsole. From `7,599 onwards. On adidas.co.in 

Faux the love of leather 

Making a statement with a single big dial is something the actor loves to do. He’s had his eyes on a Fossil watch for a while now and says that he loves the shine and detailing on it. It also has interchangeable leather straps, so you can switch according to the clothes you’re wearing. “Apart from Fossil, I love old-school watches like the G-shock. They’re super casual and stylish.” `7,500 onwards. At Express Avenue Mall. Details: 04428464646

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