Tamannaah Bhatia on becoming an entrepreneur and building longevity beyond the spotlight

Actress Tamannaah Bhatia is stepping into a new chapter: one that brings her long-standing relationship with style and everyday glamour into a physical space. With the launch of her Mumbai store, Tamannaah Fine Jewellery, she marks a significant milestone in her career as a creator and entrepreneur, translating her personal design philosophy into fine jewellery. Rooted in an urban Indian sensibility and shaped by years of living in front of the camera, the label reflects her belief in timeless pieces that move seamlessly from special moments to daily life.

In conversation with Harper’s Bazaar, Bhatia speaks about building a modern design language, her hands-on involvement in every step of the brand, and how her definition of luxury has evolved over the years. 

Harper's Bazaar: What drew you towards fine jewellery as a business extension of your career, and why did you feel like this was the right moment to launch your own store?

Tamannaah Bhatia: I am a Sindhi, so I essentially come from a business family. My father has been a businessman since... forever, and he has been in the jewellery business for the past 15 years, so it was always there for me. I just didn't have anything to say in that space, which would make a huge difference. But while I was getting ready every day of my life, for either a shoot or an event or just stepping out into the city, I always wanted to feel dressed to the nines. Now, the thing with clothes is that we are constantly changing the kind of clothes we wear. I wanted to create something timeless, hence jewellery. And I chose to make fine jewellery that is beyond any particular occasion. It's not just for your special moments; it is also something that can travel from your special moments into your everyday without compromising on that element of style or glamour. 

HB: How involved were you in the design process?

TB: I am involved from the process of production to the final retail that happens, and every other process in the middle, from the design to the aesthetics, creative direction, all of that. The only thing, I'm not pen-to-paper, so I have designers who help me execute my vision. I have a very strong desire to create an urban representation of what India is. I aim to create a design language that is unique to us from an urban standpoint, because people globally know India from a heritage perspective, but they don't know the lives you and I live or what the urban people here wear when they are living in their trackpants or t-shirts. I feel it's the perfect time to bring this line of fine jewellery, because while there is so much in heritage, there's not much that exists in this space, which fits in our daily lives effortlessly.

HB: How would you describe your personal fashion philosophy today?

TB: My personal style has always been based on this duality of casual glamour. Being glamorous is as important to me as being effortless and casual, and I don't want to let go of any of those two elements. I constantly find ways of bringing structure and fluidity together. And that also is playing out in the design language within my jewellery line. You will find a lot of fluid forms, but you will also find some really strong structures like hoops and T-bar necklaces. 

HB: You often speak about discipline and longevity. What does staying relevant require in an industry which constantly thrives on change and reinvention?

TB: I don't have any problem with reinvention. In fact, I feel an artist must keep reinventing and evolving. Reinvention is also a slightly misconstrued term. It is about getting rid of something that you thought was you, but was really just baggage you needed to let go of. We don't need to fear the thought of reinvention because whatever you think is really you is just a layer that will come off the moment you do something different. And if you really want to do something different, you will take that layer off. It's just revealing a little more of you; it doesn't actually change you. 

HB: You have balanced commercial success and critically appreciated roles. How do you decide which stories are worth saying a yes to at this stage of your career?

TB: Films will always be a collective medium. It will never be one person's portrayal. There are so many people trying to tell a story which belongs to one person's vision. So when I say yes to a project, the teams really matter, because I feel like these teams are the ones who create a cinematic experience. Also, I definitely see who the director is, because they hold the key to whether something magical can happen or not.

HB: What does luxury mean to you today, and how has the definition changed over the years?

TB: Luxury, to me, means something that helps you interpret yourself and be extremely comfortable while doing so. It is the sense of having something physical which gives you some experience or adds some value to your life. I believe luxury is also a feeling in your most elevated state. It's not just materialistic, it's also an emotion.

Lead image: Getty

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