The Stars of Style [N - R]

Nargis’ effortless charm and grace were paralleled in the simple western and traditional attire. Her ethereal/delicate beauty was resonated in the elegant, diaphanous saris she often wore in movies such as Andaz (1949) or Shree 420 (1955). Along with her short, voluminous hairstyles, Nargis’ classic white-shirt-tucked-into-black-trousers became a look that made white tops and shirts a wardrobe mandate for women in that period.

While Shree 420 may have been the highest gross film of 1955, it was Raj Kapoor’s costume that left a stupendous impact on the fashion world and garnered hoards of imitators. Raj Kapoor’s quarter pants, cowboy hat, cap-toe shoes from the film became the uniform style for young men aiming to ascertain their identity in post-colonial India.

Bollywood’s girl-next-door, Preity Zinta, introduced fresh, classy, and casual looks to modern Indian fashion in the early 2000s. Her chic bustier, black, satin dress in the title track of Chori Chori Chupke Chupke (2001) (inspired by Marilyn Monroe’s attire from Breakfast at Tiffany’s - should we add this?) and the long skirt paired with t-shirt style, the long dresses, and the curly untamed hair in Dil Chahta Hai (2001) became signature trends that influenced designers and fashion enthusiasts alike.

With her bold sartorial choices and fearless approach to experimentation, Priyanka Chopra has become a global fashion icon. The gold, slinky, sari in the title track Desi Girl in Dostana (2008), the baroque, traditional ensembles in Bajirao Mastani (2015), or the chic jumpsuits in Dil Dhadekne Do (2015), exhibit Priyanka Chopra’s ability to embody an assortment of personas that also reflect changing perceptions of femininity.

Beyond his acting expertise, as showcased in several box-office hits, Rajesh Khanna redefined clothing style on screens and the streets. While his characters on-screen sported a range of clothing styles such as shirts, jackets, trousers, and suits, Rajesh Khanna was most popularly known for altering the status of the legendary guru kurta - a collared A-line kurta with round necks and rolled back sleeves. Originally worn only by farmers at festivals or humble politicians, the guru kurta became a cult favourite Rajesh Khanna embraced the look in Andaz (1971). Moreover, the kurta-trouser outfit that is still widely seen in the country today is also inspired by Rajesh Khanna’s look in his popular film, Kati Patang (1971).

From her dramatic, bouffant hair-do and winged eyeliner in Aradhana (1969) to her bold, sensuous swimsuits and two-piece bikini in An Evening in Paris (1967), Sharmila Tagore became a legend in the fashion department. She was also one of the first few women to carry off chiffon saris and bustiers, bejewelled with diamonds and pearls, with an elegance that inspired thousands of women.

Rekha is representative of quintessential Indian glamour. Her looks comprise opulent traditional wear, primarily elegant Kanjeevaram and Banarasi saris, often paired with statement chokers and ornate earrings. Whether it was in her white printed sari with pink borders in Maang Bharo Sajana (1980) or her anarkalis embellished with necklaces, earrings and bracelets in Umrao Jaan (1981), Rekha was unafraid of wearing bold, red lipstick and sporting daring hairdos - elements that resonate with her confident, fierce aura.