Now a recognised stylist and costume designer in the Telugu film industry, Santhoshi has worked on over 20 web series and 10 feature films.

Her career-defining year arrived in 2023 with two very different but equally impactful films: HanuMan and Tillu Square. These projects became milestones not just in her portfolio, but in how she evolved as a designer.

“HanuMan was deeply rooted in culture and mythology. The costumes needed to feel authentic yet visually compelling. Every piece had to support the narrative,” Santhoshi explains. “It was challenging—filled with moments of doubt—but ultimately so fulfilling.”

If HanuMan was a study in tradition and restraint, Tillu Square was its glamorous opposite. “Styling for a franchise like Tillu, where fashion had already made such a mark in the first film, was intense. The pressure was real,” she says. “But when the film released, and the looks got so much appreciation.”

Today, Santhoshi is the personal stylist for two of Telugu cinema’s most promising stars—Teja Sajja and Siddu Jonnalagadda. “Siddu is bold and experimental, always ready to push boundaries. Teja, on the other hand, leans towards polished and minimal aesthetics. Working with both keeps me creatively balanced.”

Looking ahead, Santhoshi is excited for what’s next. “I have some interesting releases lined up with Netflix and Amazon this year—Mirai, where I got to work with Teja again, and Telusu Kada with Siddu,” she says. “I also styled for my first horror film, Kishkindapuri, which was a thrilling change of pace.”

Lanka Santhoshi continues to prove that the best creative journeys often begin by accident—and are sustained by passion, grit, and a deep love for the craft.