The most epic romantic movie ever Dilwale Dulhania Le Jayenge hit theatres when I was 11 years old. I fell in love with it and watched it multiple times. The movie made me believe in love and a special someone and I hoped to meet my Raj some day. Thankfully, I did. 🙂
DDLJ became an instant classic, and since its release dozens of film makers have been “inspired” by the film. Among other areas, DDLJ made a big impact on Indian fashion as well. Thousands of women flocked to their tailors to get clothes like Kajol and flocked to sari shops to buy shaded saris (typical Yashraj!). But from all the costumes that were made, here’s what I loved the most.
Kajol’s mehendi outfit: Pre-DDLJ, the bride rarely wore green for her mehendi function. Then Manish Malhotra dressed Kajol in bright green from top to toe. Since then, green has become the colour of choice for mehendi functions across India, by the bride, her family and guests. I wore a green outfit to my mehendi too. 😉
Shahrukh Khan’s leather jacket: Leather jackets are perfect for continental weather but don’t really work for India. Who cares? After Shahrukh Khan sported black and brown leather jacket, young men across India wanted to wear one too, hoping it would impress the ladies. Remember Varun Dhawan in Humpty Sharma ki Dulhania? I had never taken a leather jacket seriously either, but now I think they’re sexy!
Kajol’s backless dress: Backless gown?! Woah! The only women who’d earlier revealed their back were the “dancing girls” from the 60s and 70s, but never the female protagonist. The backless gown in the song Ruk Ja was Simran’s way of asserting her independence and just being a modern European girl, despite having a “traditional” Indian family. The result? Backless dresses, backless gowns, backless cholis and blouses across India…. we’ve seen them all. (Note: Of course, Madhuri Dixit’s backless purple blouse in Hum Aapke Hain Kaun also this trend gain popularity).
And here are some trends I would like to bring back.
Dresses and boots: A very hot 90s trend, Kajol rocked the look with her long dresses and boots. They were stylish yet comfortable, modern yet conservative enough to be worn around her father. Sadly, this trend disappeared soon after. Let’s bring it back!
Geeky chic: Kajol wore thick-rimmed glasses and spent a good amount of time with her nose buried in a book. While this didn’t kick off a spectacles-toting trend (Indians don’t like bespectacled women), I would love if glasses became a style statement. So geeky bookworms like me would finally be appreciated!
Hats: Shahrukh Khan wore a fedora with a feather(!) and Kajol wore a flat beret. Both actors carried off their head gear with elan, so why can’t we?
All pictures courtesy: Yashraj Films
