Devika Rani in Karma

While cinema in the 1930s was largely centred around social reform and sacrifice, fashion was a mix of Indian and Western styles. The actress who best defined this was Devika Rani with her Hollywood style kiss curls, short-sleeved often contrasting blouses with deep necks. Her sarees were worn artfully loose -- concealing, yet revealing, at the same time. The Marlene Dietrich bold mouth made film history with Karma (1933) featuring a four-minute-long kiss.