India, June 20 -- Deep within Mumbai's Khotachiwadi - historic East Indian (Roman Catholic) community native to Mumbai and the Konkan region - lives James Ferreira. He is not merely a legendary fashion designer; he is a whimsical, unfiltered pioneer of Indian fashion, a culinary archivist, and a living repository of raw, old-school Bollywood lore. Also read | Insider's guide to Khotachiwadi

In a candid interview with HT Lifestyle, James took aim at the commercialisation of modern fashion, shared rare memories of a bygone cinematic era, and reflected on the nation's changing soul.

Today's Bollywood is a hyper-managed corporate machine dominated by PR armies and meticulous stylists. James, who entered the industry designing for Sanjay Dut...