From “Bole Chudiya” To “Chhaliya,” We Revisited 17 Kareena Kapoor Songs To Drool Over Her Iconic Sartorial Brilliance!
Just as Ranbir Kapoor’s Shiva has some rishta with fire, every character of Kareena Kapoor has an undeniable bond with fashion. With a filmography that is all parts phenomenal, Kareena has a song and a character that will not let you down. With sartorial brilliance stitched to her closet, Bebo has always been a stylish star, both on and off the big screen. Be it pilates, a lunch with the fam, or the brightest maternity looks, Ms Kapoor has a green and gorgeous style report card. And as we celebrate Kareena’s 42nd birthday today, let’s look back at some of her most iconic costumes that worked like magic in her hit song tracks.
San Sanana-Aśoka
In the 2001 film–Aśoka, Kareena Kapoor plays the part of Kaurwaki, princess of Kalinga. The actress’ historically-accurate costumes by Anu Vardhan and Manish Malhotra displayed the essence of period drama through her character closets. For Kareena, colours red and white, teamed with whimsical draped skirts and one-shouldered cholis were coupled with raw aesthetics in the song–“San Sanana.” The marriage between sultry coordinated separates, body tattoos, and kohl eyes, worked like magic with the lyrics of the song.
You Are My Soniya- Kabhie Khushi Kabhi Gham
We might fail as a Bebo fan if we don’t mention her most iconic character Poo. With the least screen time in the Karan Johar family saga, Kareena outshined and how. Besides flagging off the biggest trends of the 2000s and being the poster girl of cool for almost every millennial kid, Kareena’s Poo has been a cult-favourite character. Marinating her pizzazz with her costumes, her popular red co-ord set from the film’s song–”You’re My Soniya,” is exactly what Euphoria‘s Maddy would also take cues from. Costumes by Manish Malhotra, and Shabina Khan, rekindled our love for new-age 90s occasion dressing. The youthful sequinned set, with an asymmetrical top on Kareena, found a perfect match in rhinestone eye look and furry jackets.
Bole Chudiya- Kabhie Khushi Kabhi Gham
Another popular track from Karan Johar’s Kabhie Khushi Kabhi Gham was “Bole Chudiya.” While Kareena’s Poo aced every Y2K trend, that there ever was, her pick in ethnic traditional silhouettes was beyond spectacular. The Manish Malhotra lehenga, which Alia’s Kavya in Humpty Sharma Ki Dulhaniya constantly demands from her dad, will explain every girl’s obsession with the backless, ombré, pink sharara set. The modern-day spin on a traditional lehenga was built using Poo’s favourite asymmetrical-hemline-silhouette to confirm her style would never settle for anything boring. The jewellery also replaced the usual glass bangles with tinsel-laden wrist charms and a dainty maang tika to match the look.
Oh My Darling- Mujhse Dosti Karoge
For the 2002 film–Mujhse Dosti Karoge, Kareena took up the charge to deliver the newest trends of the season. With colours playing the lead in her character closet, her role Tina had an innate sense of style. For a solo number in the film, designer Manish Malhotra wrapped up Bebo in a supremely gorgeous, denim blue met beige jumpsuit. What made the costume a winning look was the coming together of sequins and a school-girl silhouette, which was completed with flirty pigtails. The silhouette also featured today’s trending multi cut-outs on the sides and front-flap opening.
O Ajnabi Mere Ajnabi- Main Prem Ki Deewani Hoon
If only I could steal every damn look, that Kareena slayed in the overtly enthusiastic, romantic film–Main Prem Ki Deewani Hoon. From sanskaari kurta sets to cycle ride-appropriate athleisure, Kareena’s Sanjana has romanced with fashion like a pro. With a closet curated by Manish Malhotra, Mohsen Nathane, Rocky S, Kareena headlined the film’s popular songs in baby tees, lovable lehengas and sultry slip dresses, giving us major date night fashion inspiration. And if you ask our favourite, we’d happily present to you her lilac look in the final part of “O Ajnabi Mere Ajnabi.”
Bhaage Re Man- Chameli
Another fabulous creative collaboration between Kareena Kapoor Khan and her favourite designer–Manish Malhotra, rocked on the big screen in her 2003, pathbreaking role–Chameli. For the film’s most popular track, Kareena’s titular character depicted the society-labelled contrast between her and Rahul Bose’s character Aman in the film. Her patent looks in gold-bordered, maroon saree teamed with a floral blouse, embellished gold barrette pinned to one side, nose ring and a glimmering stack of glass bangles packaged Chameli’s imagery from paper to the big screen.
Ek Dilrubaa Hai- Bewafaa
Sarees, long trailing sleeves and a clean girl aesthetic entered the room with Kareena’s Anjali in the 2004 film–Bewafaa. The actress danced to the tunes of the film’s popular song “Ek Dilrubaa Hai” alongside co-star Akshay Kumar. She whipped up an edgy look in a form-fitting, feathered-sleeve black dress and matched it with a red dupatta.
Yeh Mera Dil- Don
While I am never in favour of remakes, this particular one remains an exception. Kareena’s cameo role in Shah Rukh Khan’s 2006 film–Don was highlighted by the refashioning of Don 1998’s famous song–”Yeh Mehra Dil Pyaar Ka Deewana.” In the newest version, Kareena is seen romancing Shah Rukh Khan in a gold, glitter-slit dress. She topped it all off with chandelier earrings and gold heels.
It’s Rocking- Kya Lovestory Hai
Kareena’s special appearance in Shahid Kapoor’s–Kya Lovestory Hai, was all parts blockbuster. In the song–”It’s Rocking” Bebo sparkled in a series of high-octane looks that incorporated a metallic gown, dazzling, embellished bodycon tops, and multi-cut-out numbers, tucked inside distressed denim pants.
Yeh Ishq Haye- Jab We Met
Another of Kareena’s most loved film characters is Geet from Jab We Met. From her dialogues to her style, Kareena brought with her a refreshing new combination of salwars and graphic tees. With popular tracks like “Yeh Ishq Haye” “Nagada Nagada” and “Mauja Hi Mauja,” Geet provided a plethora of traditional wear trends, casually worn chikankari kurtas and trendsetting corsets teamed with iconic red skirts, oh and also baby braids!
Chhaliya- Tashan
While I would never suggest someone to watch the film–Tashan or walk the road to Kareena’s popular size zero, I would recommend taking style notes from her popular song–Chhaliya. For the big banner, YRF’s big budget film, Tashan did not land the numbers as per its ambition, but Kareena made sure to carve her cinematic presence. For Chhaliya, Kareena does justice to the scenic views, in sparkling metallic bikini, micro skirts, starry jewellery, edgy curls, and colourful eye makeup. I mean, what’s there to not be obsessed with?
Bebo Main Bebo-Kambakkht Ishq
Another party number in Kareena’s filmography was presented in her 2009 film–Kambakkht Ishq. The actress finally got her very own song, which was named after her popular nickname. Much like the Yeh Mera Dil Pyaar Ka Deewana, the room setup was no strange space for Kareena to show her best moves and sartorial finesse. After all, we first met and fell in love with Poo in her dreamy room. The actress sparkled in a set of two-sultry dresses in shades of pink and lingerie-like black. Bebo skipped jewellery but her glossy makeup injected enough glamour.
Shukran Allah- Kurbaan
The feminine urge to dress up like Kareena in this song and go out on a jhumka-shopping date is quite real. For her 2009 film–Kurbaan, Kareena teamed up with ace costume designer Aki Narula and Gopika Malkan to weave the closet of her character Avantika. With a hint of maximalist, crumple skirts, paired with churidars and romantic dupattas, Kareena played with extreme eye looks, supported by kajal galore. The lyrics rightly described Kareena from head to toe.
Also Read: From Anne Hathaway To Kareena Kapoor, Stars Who Took Style Lessons From Their Onscreen Avatars
Chammak Challo-Ra.One
This time again, Kareena swore to experiment and bring the Bollywood-romance staple red chiffon saree with a modern-day spin. The amalgamation of old-school traditional with modern masala was accurate in her popular song–”Chammak Challo.” For Kareena’s simple and soph. look as Sonia Subramaniam, the spicy red saree brought a surprising tadka. Dragged to reality by Manish Malhotra and costume stylist–Anaita Shroff Adajania, Bebo dazzled in a thick-bordered red saree, tuned into a skirt and combined with traditional Maharashtrian Peshwai nath, filled the inspiration boards of many.
Also Read: Kareena Kapoor Shares An “Asli Shot” Before Shoot With Neetu Kapoor. We Want To Know More About This Family Collab!
Dil Mera Muft Ka- Agent Vinod
I will never forget the number of times I have practised every step of this song and urged my mother to get me fuchsia pink sharara, courtesy of Kareena Kapoor. Besides holding an elaborate wardrobe for her character–Dr Ruby in the film, Kareena dazzled in the modern-day mujra setup. While the song was one of Kareena’s firsts in the territory of Bollywood’s hit machine item songs, she headlined the trend charts in her fuchsia pink sharara set and ethnic jewels. From the passa (side maang tika), haath phool to chaandbalis, Kareena’s look from the song–“Dil Mera Muft Ka” soon turned popular.
Halkat Jawani- Heroine
Kareena Kapoor gave her all to the 2012 Madhuri Bhandarkar film–Heroine. The actress’ portrayal of a Bollywood superstar came packaged with powerful performances and a sizzling song list. For her famous solo act–“Halkat Jawani” Kareena went through multiple costume changes and whipped up a starry look in short lehengas, half-sarees and highlighter hues. The looks went on to become so popular that in 2012, her famous Manish Malhotra pink drape from the song was auctioned for a charitable cause.
Muskaanein Jhooti Hai- Talaash
For her 2012, Aamir Khan and Rani Mukherji starrer film–Talaash, Kareena Kapoor slid into a unique character. For her role as Simran/Rosie, Kareena’s mysterious character trusted a stack of bling barrettes, cheetah prints and feather jewellery that often did the duties of dropping hints. In the film, Kapoor found another solo number with the song–Muskaanein Jhooti Hai, for which she recreates a retro-inspired, old-Hollywood glamour for a performance in a bar. The one-shouldered maroon gown by costume designers Rushi Sharma and Manoshi Nath was headlined by a feather embroidery motif, that matches the significance of feathers in Simran/Rosie’s story.
Tell us your favourite Kareena Kapoor character look.
Image Credits: YouTube
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