The Stars of Style [A-G]

Aamir Khan works fastidiously not only when it comes to his acting but also in creating and styling his characters; characters that evoked a sense of relatability. A few of Aamir Khan’s looks such as his goatee in Dil Chahta Hai (2001) and his yellow, knotted shirt and neck scarf in Rangeela (1995) became a rage amongst his fan following. His well-built body and chiselled torso in Lagaan (2001) and Ghajini (2008) set an admirable precedent for actors and young men across the country.

From the kurta-wearing, paan-chewing attire of the ‘Angry Young Man’, to the bell-bottom pants, dapper suits and leather jackets as ‘Bollywood’s Shahenshah’, Amitabh Bachchan is one of the few actors who successfully and effortlessly, appeals to many different worlds. Beyond his simple white kurtas in Anand (1971), denim on denim casual look in Sholay (1975), and his pristine white suit in Silsila (1981), it is Amitabh Bachchan’s individualistic style-not to forget his iconic hairstyle- that garners numerous imitators and admirers.

Known for subverting gender norms through his fashion choices back in the 1950s and 1960s, Dev Anand garnered hoards of imitators with his unique flair and charm. His avatars often wore sweaters and jackets in shades of pink and red, with a scarf - previously noted as a ‘feminine garment’ - tied around their necks. Dev Anand’s looks hinted at an attempt to design a new identity that combined parts of the western British Raj and parts of newly-independent India.

Deepika Padukone has established herself as a prominent force in the film and fashion industry through her modelling stint and iconic roles in blockbuster movies. Her retro outfits in Om Shanti Om (2007), her elaborate, traditional attire in Padmaavat (2018), and her modern, contemporary looks in Gehraiyaan (2022), showcases a versatility which few can embrace as gracefully.

The First Lady of Indian Cinema, Devika Rani, set the standard of beauty and grace for not only early Hindi film heroines but also women in pre-independent India. In addition to her perfectly shaped eyebrows and western-inspired hairdos, the shimmery blouse she wore during the historic four-minute kissing scene in Karma (1933) and her printed, cotton saris attire in Acchut Kanya (1936) paved the path to a refreshing and new identity in Indian fashion.

Right from her debut film Bobby (1973), Dimple Kapadia became a fashion sensation with her bold, progressive looks. Her ensembles in the film primarily consisted of short skirts and midriff-bearing blouses, the most popular being the polka-dotted blouse paired with a navy blue pencil skirt which took the Indian sartorial world by storm.

From oversized sunglasses in Bobby (1973) to tracksuits in Karz (1980), Rishi Kapoor started several trends through the 1970s and 1980s. Through jackets, mufflers, and printed double-knit sweaters, Rishi Kapoor brought new looks to India’s winter wear wardrobe. He was also popularly known for introducing bell-bottom pants - initially considered a female garment - into the Indian sartorial treasury. These ‘hippie’ pants were subsequently adopted by numerous Indian men, and have also made their way into contemporary vogue.