How Deepika Padukone’s Fashion In Films Caused A Cultural Reset
Versatile, vivacious, and always filled with charm!
The bond that cinema shares with fashion has been a story of many, many decades. With costume design carrying, and at times pushing the plot forward, it also is a tool that helps in the building of an iconic character on the big screen. If I say the name–Mumtaz, the only image that will race to pop into your head, would be of a woman, posing in an orange saree. It’s the imagery, the charm, and the impact costume leaves on its viewers and lovers. This idea of fashioning cinema through varied characters is nothing but a drill that every film loves to indulge in. While some use reality as their inspiration, others try to fit fantasy in few hours. But both the magnetic and mundane, deliver their own allure. Much like Kangana dressed in a blue kurta as Queen, or Aishwarya Rai in her breathtaking lehengas as Jodhaa Bai, both captured an equal rent-free spot in our hearts.
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This also describes the imperative role an actor plays in building the cinematic experience in films, through fashion. Many come and go, but only a few stay and stitch iconic trends. And one of the many names in my kitty of favourite stars is actress Deepika Padukone. Ever since her debut in 2007 as Shanti Priya, the actress’ simple wave and onscreen fashion, both became a popular affair. Padukone’s slow, but sparkling stardom has had a journey of its own, but her characters have always taken their styles pretty seriously. From an easy rom-com to a resplendent Sanjay Leela Bhansali set, the star has explored all ends and found a spot in the centre.
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Outside of her work in the Hindi cinema, Padukone makes a checklist of chic looks to both catch flights or sit as a juror at the prestigious Cannes Film Festival. With this, we understand her detailed perspective towards building a sartorial experience for herself, and for fans, who buy that ticket to watch her on the big screen. And bringing you back to the business of Bollywood, and its love-hate relationship with both tacky, and well-tailored fashion, we today are tracing the actress’ every character style that was a cultural reset.
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From Veronica, to Leela, and Mastani, the star packaged an engaging script with memorable style. With every character that she signed up to play, she made us wish to see her return on the screen, sooner to say the least. This deep connection with fashion was like Padukone’s mode to connect with her cheerleaders, who would often fill their carts with a version of jhumka, saree or just a kurta she wore for a film. Hence, we are looking back on every character that made us fall for Deepika and a few others that have our hopes only climbing the ladder.
Shanti Priya Of Our Dreams
In the year 2007, Padukone introduced herself to the world of Bollywood with Farah Khan’s Om Shanti Om. With a dream project, starring Shah Rukh Khan, Padukone not only cracked the best Bollywood launch but explained why she’s worth it all through her performance in the film. Besides putting her best foot forward, the star wrapped herself in retro-adored polkas, fuchsia lehengas, beehive buns, and just that dimpled charm. Little did she know that both her wave and character would become iconic.
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We Love Her Aaj, Kal And Forever
The actress stepped into the shoes of Meera Pandit for Imtiaz Ali’s hit film–Love Aaj Kal. Starring opposite Saif Ali Khan, the actress became the Delhi girl with a wardrobe that struck a mix between urban and desi. Costume designed by Dolly Ahluwalia, Anaita Shroff Adajania, and Ayesha Dasgupta, Deepika brought the idea of fitted churidaars, and flared bandhani kurtas to our screens. And oh boy, literally every girl danced to the tunes of “Chor Bazaari” in her room wearing a close copy of her look. I know, because I too did it.
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The Turning Point Cocktail
Between 2009 and 2012, many things worked and mostly didn’t for the star. With great parts in rom-coms and big-budget films like Housefull, and Desi Boyz, Padukone seemed to be looking for something more than a glam doll. And the turning point in her career and her closet was filmmaker Homi Adajania’s Cocktail. For the first time ever, Padukone took up the role that was vulnerable, and was okay with not ending up with the hero. The actress not only made a path-breaking choice by choosing the character but weaved a closet that we proudly call the Veronica effect. On the latter, Padukone trusted Adajania’s wife/celebrity stylist–Anaita, to dress Veronica’s wild character with the peppiest of colours, sequin-loaded bodycon dresses, and basically get Bollywood it’s very own Carrie Bradshaw.
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Entering The Bhansali-verse
Post a marvellous twist in 2012’s Cocktail, Padukone collaborated with filmmaker Sanjay Leela Bhansali, and also kinda found her Ram for life in Ranveer Singh in the year 2013. The actress’ role as Leela was a canvas covered with colours. Curated by designer Anju Modi, Deepika romanced the garba-ghaghras, and silver chaandbaalis, and made an impact on every girl’s ethnic wardrobe for the festive season.
That Blue Saree
In the same year, the actress reunited with ex-boyfriend Ranbir Kapoor for Ayan Mukerji’s blockbuster Dharma Productions hit–Yeh Jawaani Hai Deewani. Reviving the Naina look, after Preity Zinta in Kal Ho Naa Ho, this Naina was also a victim of the makeover trope in movies. In the second half of the film, Padukone displayed her abs with sultry lehengas, exquisite jewellery, and well that electric blue saree for the song “Badtameez Dil.” And I swear every girl wore it to her school, and college farewell parties, hoping to find her Bunny.
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Bajirao Mastani
In 2015, Deepika was back to bae Ranveer Singh, and Mr Bhansali for another period drama. Bajirao Mastani saw Deepika play that “other woman” but in no way had us hating her. Thanks to her diaphanous Mughal-inspired wardrobe that wouldn’t leave our sight, Padukone played the role wearing the finest of jewellery, and best of shimmer costumes designed by Anju Modi. Her Mastani golden avatar soon found a fandom of its own.
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Embracing The Piku Aesthetic
The same year, Padukone entered a more simple, closer to real-life world of Piku, in Shoojit Sircar’s 2015 film of the same name. Designed by costume designer–Veera Kapur, Piku enjoyed a more minimal, clean tailoring, through a stack of black kurtas, and printed dupattas, that would always surround her neck. For special occasions, she would have this treasured collection of jhumkas, and bold black bindis that would still linger in the vicinity of her sartorial taste. The impact of her khadi kurtas soon turned her wardrobe into a home for minimalists.
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Also Read: From ‘Aankhon Mein Teri’ To ‘Besharam Rang,’ 7 Times Deepika Padukone, Shah Rukh Khan Sizzled On The Big Screen
Returning To Grandeur With Padmaavat
Again for Bhansali’s world of jhoomers, and of course ghoomers, Padukone arrived as Padmavati, wearing traditional Rajasthani borla, that sat as a pendulum between her unibrow. Designed by Rimple And Harpreet, Padukone delivered a performance par excellence, but also wore some of the heaviest ghagharas, and veils, inspired by the fashion of 14th century. It again became a talking point amongst fashion enthusiasts who loved revisiting India’s rich history in handloom, fabrics and intricate craftsmanship.
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Also Read: Deepika Padukone Is Our Monday Mahila Crush In Snazzy Beachwear For ‘Besharam Rang.’ Sorry SRK, But DP Nailed It!
Raising Our Hopes For Pathaan
The Deepika and Shah Rukh Khan starrer–Pathaan is yet to release on the big screen, but the recent two tracks from the film have already created a buzz on the internet. For the fans of this onscreen couple, and followers of Deepika’s film fashion, Padukone seems to bring a mixed bag of street style, and swimwear for her action-packed performance in the film. While her swimsuits have caused a storm of controversies, we are still awe-struck by her beauty, and costumes that are sure icon-worthy.
Tell us your favourite look of Deepika Padukone in films!
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