Tag Archives: Aisha

Style in Hindi cinema of 2010

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2010 was a year of many surprises, many more blunders and hardly any gems.

Presenting a review of the year gone by in a style file.

The item girl was reinvented! The question everyone had to answer at the end of the year was: Munni ki badnaami ya Sheila ki jawaani? You could even cast an electronic vote if you logged on to http:munniyasheila.com

While Munni had rustic appeal clad in a choli and short lehenga, complete with dangling gold jewellery, Sheila had urban appeal teaming her choli with knee length harem pants. Don’t miss the kamarbandh on both ladies!

Some films succeeded in recreating fashion of the genres they had taken up.

  • Dabangg

Salman Khan aka Chulbul Pandey brought Ray Ban’s aviator sunglasses back in vogue. Be it the cockpit or large metal styles, they were selling like hot cakes. And if Ray Ban didn’t fit your budget, the official Dabangg sunglasses surely would. Salman also showed you a new place to tuck in your sunglasses. No, it’s not your head or the opening in your shirt but the back of your collar. :)

Sonakshi Sinha who played the gaon ki gori rocked ‘em backless blouses worn with mirror work sarees. It was quite a trend the following navratri.

  • Aisha

Flashy costume had to be rung out, couture had made its way onto the silver screen. In 2010, Aisha was the most celebrated where fashion was concerned. The setting was Delhi and giggly girls essayed by the likes of Sonam Kapoor, Ira Dubey, Amrita Puri and Lisa Haydon become instant fashion icons. Reams of newsprint and television reel were spent displaying photographs, running interviews and conducting fashion quizzes with the cast of Aisha.

Sonam Kapoor aka Aisha was the contemporary Emma penned by Jane Austen. The trademark Clueless (earlier adaptation of Emma) skirt suit couldn’t be missed on Sonam. The Barbie doll room and closet of Manolo Blahniks was only a teaser. The clothes, be it Prada or Prabal Gurung, hogged the limelight. Fashionistas everywhere rejoiced. They now had something to aspire toward.

Abhay Deol wore the suit Mr Darcy style. And he looked equally gentlemanly in a plain tee. The chocolate boy was back in fashion.

  • Once Upon A Time In Mumbaai

Ajay Devgn and Emraan Hashmi played their roles to the T, looking perfect, be it an all-white safari or a checkered 3 piece suit. Hats off to them for wearing large collars and bell bottom trousers with equal panache.

The girls weren’t left far behind. If one played a successful heroine, the other paid a fitting tribute. The sarees and kameezes reflected craftsmanship, achievable only in those times. A shy, conservative girl or an outspoken, modern woman, Prachi Desai and Kangna Ranaut were styled appropriately.

’80s fashion didn’t look better in the first decade of the 2000s.

  • Break Ke Baad

In a year where Dabangg, Once Upon a Time in Mumbaai and Aisha ruled the roosters, for their ethnic charm, retro costume and classy couture, Break Ke Baad provided the much-needed freshness. The styling was casual, quirky and very real. If you had the boy sporting his favourite bands on his tees, the girl mixed it up with shorts and bikini tops. The wedding ensembles were well-cut and uber stylish. You saw a lot of girls sporting teeny tiny blouses with their lehengas this wedding season Deepika Padukone style. If only we had that flat stomach!

Lo and behold, there were films that had one too many fashion blunders.

  • Anjaana Anjaani

Ranbir Kapoor was probably left wondering what he did to deserve an unshapely hospital gown. Priyanka Chopra probably had a say in the matter. It was fifteen minutes of screen time after all. How could she not have a form-fitting button down full sleeved mini dress? Oops… that’s her version of the hospital gown. Take it or leave it. You know doctors are going to check you out right?

  • Badmaash Company

Dior’s white rimmed sunglasses, distressed mini skirts, hot pants, bikini tops, slinky waistcoats. Girls are drooling already. Baggy jeans, trademark tees, white keds. Boys are checking their wallets. Wait, we’re not talking about the ’90s. You see, we were really impressed with present fashion. We couldn’t take a risk making our actors look out of vogue in ’90s trends. We just went to the mall, picked out the brightest colours and dressed our actors in them. Nobody checks Hindi films for period authenticity anyway. Not if we wear skinny jeans.

  • Robot

Aishwarya thought we wouldn’t see beyond her fancy head-gear. We have to admit it took us five minutes to process the number of feathers on her head. And even though the scene had moved to the next sequence, we were being flashed with shiny sequins and multi-coloured buttons. We did scream for sartorial surgery but Dr. Rajni was too busy cutting up Chitti. We’re hoping for better luck next time.

That’s it for tonight, folks! I’ve refreshed my memory and hunted out the best and worst for you. I sincerely hope you enjoy the post or at least scroll through the images. Until next time. :)

Volkswagen Beetle | The heroine’s car in 2010

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I’ve always wanted to buy my own car. And I’ve imagined it to be a Volkswagen Beetle. On one of my sister’s birthdays, I bought the toy version for her Barbie. Although we’ve grown out of it now, we can’t stop our nephew from playing with it every time he’s over.

Photographs: Dhruvi Shah

Earlier this year, Aisha released. The lead actor Sonam Kapoor was portrayed as quite the trendy girl. She drove a yellow Volkswagen Beetle.

Then came Anjaana Anjaani. While the publicized car of course is Blush, in her pre-Blush phase, Kiara (Priyanka Chopra) drove a yellow Volkswagen Beetle. It was almost as if her transition from the Beetle to the Ford was the character’s personal journey.

The to-be-released Break Ke Baad starring Imran Khan and Deepika Padukone shows Aaliya Khan (Deepika Padukone) driving a yellow Volkswagen Beetle as well.

Some snapshots from the theatrical trailer:

What do you think of the theatrical trailer?

All three films: Aisha, Anjaana Anjaani and Break Ke Baad have romantic overtones and seem to focus on modern urban couples. All three lead heroines are shown to drive a yellow Volkswagen Beetle. Priyanka Chopra, Sonam Kapoor and Deepika Padukone are more often than not considered in the same bracket: the young heroines of this generation.

It is interesting how the cultural baggage attached to the car has given it a girly appeal. Of course, the brand’s collaboration with Barbie adds to the effect.

I’m extremely tempted to hop down to the Volkswagen Mumbai West showroom and take a Beetle out for a test drive.

Which car have you always wanted to buy?
What do you think of the Volkswagen Beetle?
Do you like that the three heroines are shown to drive one?

Answer those questions or leave any other thoughts in the comments section. :D

Sunday fun | Olive’s Ramp & Roll

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If you’ve lived in the city long enough,
you run out of options on how to spend your Sunday.

I had found a comfortable sweet spot in eating waffles at Cafe Indigo
And watching a movie at the nearest multiplex.

Hence, the invite to Olive Bar & Kitchen’s Ramp & Roll
came at an apt time…

Olive Bar & Kitchen

A series of sundown evenings called ‘ramp & roll’ was kicked off…

The concept is simple.
Start your evening at 4 with a drink from the bar. Dance to the groovy beats.

Olive | Bar

As the evening proceeds and the weather cools down,
enjoy some grub in the courtyard.

Olive | Courtyard

What to order:

Their selection of white wine as well as the wine cocktail was nice.
A whiskey sour wasn’t too bad either.

If you’re vegetarian:
A buffet style spread serves ready and make-your-own salads.
I stuffed myself with the lavash dipped in hummus.

From the a la carte menu, we called for cottage cheese from the char grill.
Served with a cold dip, the cubes of cottage cheese just melt in your mouth.

Wandering through Olive

If you’re non-vegetarian:
You could take your pick of cold cut meats from the buffet spread.

The dessert counter had delicious chocolate tarts in particular.

Of course, no kick-off evening is complete without celebrity appearances.
& if you’re a fan of desi chick flicks (Jaane Tu… Ya Jaane Na and Aisha),
you’re in for a treat.

Prateik Babbar with friends

I love his t-shirt. Shall hunt out the feature I did on cartoon t-shirts and share with you guys.

Ira Dubey | AD Singh | Apeksha Chopra

She was quite casually dressed. It’s a change to see her let loose after the dramatic appearances during Aisha.

So, with that quick view, if you’re stuck next Sunday, Olive Bar & Kitchen should get your vote!
Go try it out for yourself. Clink clink. :*

At the Movies | The ‘Expendables’ | Not

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Every movie going experience is an adventure
You could bump into a friend, an actor or an usher
You could relate to what is unfolding on the silver screen
And stumble upon a toe or two in the dark

Be careful what you wish for though
When you’re looking for answers
The universe conspires to show you so many

Last week, my friend was making me jealous…
He went to watch a film that I’d been begging him to come see

And of course, Imtiaz Ali had to be there for a promotional event
He’s not expendable, that’s quite proven
Disturbingly rather, he’s being held back, tied to a chair

In'expendable' | Imtiaz Ali

A groom? | Imtiaz Ali

I like PVR. They always have promotional memorabilia on display.
I’ve clicked one too many pictures with Woody and others.
Of course, they’re pushing Aisha a bit much now.

Anyway, Aisha was running a contest.
A special goody bag would be awarded to an interesting picture
taken with an Aisha poster.

Well, to be flanked by an Imtiaz Ali look-alike on one hand
And the eternal cowboy, Woody on the other
Is a lucky girl’s perfect picture moment, mine at least.

Antardwand | Aisha | Toy Story

Antardwand | Promotional dummy

Well, my life is always an adventure
I’ve been crushing on ‘Dhruv’ from Aisha
That we almost have the same name is just brownie points

Arunoday Singh was sitting in the same row
Just a few seats away. So, I had quite an eye-candy blast.
Amidst all the brawn of ‘The Expendables’

For those of you wondering…
He says his life is pretty much the same post Aisha.
I guess only a couple thousand more crushes, maybe.
My girlfriends agree. :P

And now for some Imtiaz Ali trivia.
I interviewed directors and stylists for a feature story.
And asked them one question.
Do you have a Hindi film inspired item of clothing?

Any guesses for Imtiaz Ali’s response?
A belt with a Sholay buckle.
Cho chweet na? I like.

Sholay | Belt

Apparently, you can now get all of Sholay on your belt.

So, do you have a Hindi film inspired decorative item?
Leave your answers in the comments section.

Signing off. Keep it filmy! Keep it stylish! *blows kisses*

PS – Yesterday India also celebrated Sholay’s 35th anniversary. Fitting.

Style on Celluloid

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I used to do this column at Filmfare.

To search for my articles and work, go to the press page, click on Filmfare.
You will be redirected to the website where you can simply search my name.

Coming soon: An extensive archive of Glamfare

Over the years, I have come to realize most of Indian fashion is cinema inspired.
While films like Aisha are the raison d’être writers are inspired to write columns,
smaller films like Peepli Live help to study the art of costume in film.

As promised, an analysis, general, stylistic and aesthetic of both films: coming up!

PS – Check every week this time (Friday afternoon – IST)
for posts under Fashion in cinema/ popular culture.

For your reading pleasure, I have posted my previous column.

Glamfare | Style on Celluloid

My most favourite director, Imtiaz Ali, responded to the column via SMS.
And let me say, it was gooood.
Needless to say, it was one of the best days ever! :)