Anybody who has followed the evolution of “western fashion” in Bollywood since the late 80s has probably done so with their jaw on the floor. (I’m saying this because I’ve grown up on movies like Nagina and Khoon Bhari Maang and hopefully so have some of you!) So I thought it only fair to take a moment to salute Bollywood’s original divas, who have somehow survived EVERYTHING filmdom has thrown at them – from bushy hair to ruffled shoulder pads…. and just look at them NOW!
PS. Thank you Manish Malhotra for entering the scene when you did and putting us all out of our feather-boa-wrapped misery. Also for giving the likes of Urmila Matondkar and Karishma Kapoor a whole new fashion identity. Now read on for 5 of the biggest Bollywood makeovers we have ever seen!
REKHA
Rekha is an enigma, there is no doubt about that. From her humble beginnings in Bollywood to her undisputed rule as Queen “B” (haha I had to do it) she remains our Diva # 1.
And here I simply MUST bring up Khoon Bhari Maang because anybody who can survive that MAMMOTH wardrobe malfunction is a true legend in my book!
So lets take a moment to appreciate Rekha’s fashion evolution (and please keep in mind this lady was born in 1954 people, making her 59 years old!) Doesn’t she just take your breath away?! I also love that she keeps it classy now and prefers a silk sari over any western garb.
Btw, did you see the 7 Things I Loved About the Star-Studded Diva’ni Launch at Yash Raj Studios? She was number 1 🙂
SRIDEVI
Having started her career in the South Indian film industry, Sridevi never batted an eyelid at even the most ridiculous ensembles Bollywood threw at her.
In fact she somehow pulled them off. *cue Hawai Hawaii*
I mean, WHAT was that outfit?! (PS. Happy Birthday Bappi Lahiri.)
In fact Sridevi pulled off a double whammy in Mr. India and wore this iconic blue sari in her sexy dance with the invisible man which has somehow STILL never gone out of style.
Cut to 2013, with her mega career revival in the film English Vinglish, Sridevi started making appearances wearing some serious designer outfits. From midi-length dresses to tailored pants, she’s done it all, finally making it to the cover of Vogue in August 2013 and cementing her status as an ageless style diva.
KARISMA KAPOOR
Karisma Kapoor was known for her bushy eyebrows, ‘80s perm, mutton sleeves and please note – more pink ruffles.
But cut to Dil to Pagal Hai and she left everybody drooling – rockstar abs et all. Today she is undoubtedly one of the most stylish celebrities in Bollywood – I mean just look at her go! (Now if only Kareena Kapoor would take a leaf out of big sis’ book…)
KAJOL
Everybody knows Kajol is all about that unibrow *pardon me while I roll BOTH my eyebrows here* but that wasn’t the only thing that impacted her style quotient back in the day. Again, I blame Bollywood.
But since her comeback with We Are Family she’s styled it up in everything from sleek salwaars to fun jumpsuits and become something of a fashionista herself! Oooh btw, you have GOT to watch Manish Malhotra’s 70 Years of Bollywood show for Lakmé Fashion Week earlier this year, starring all his Bollywood belles – simply incroyable!
Do you think Manish ever gets together with his muses to watch old Bollywood movies and just crack up at themselves? I hope they do, I’d love them even more then 🙂
Let me know in the comments below who’s Bollywood style evolution YOU’RE the most impressed by and we’ll talk 🙂 xoxo