From Nutan’s Classic Black To Deepika’s Bright Gold, Tracing The Evolution Of Iconic Bikini In Bollywood
They aced it and how!
The conversation around Bollywood’s leading ladies in a bikini has either tackled the male gaze or revolutionised fashion in films. Much like a masaledar item song, Bollywood continued to put its heroines in a bikini set, with an aim to pull audiences to the theatre. But was it really just that? Ever since the year 1965, the industry’s beloved heroines decided to don a bikini for the big screen as a symbol of power and to deliver a message that your hemlines can never define you. According to the flag bearers of sanskaars, the bikini is still a controversial garment and the last piece that a woman should ever sport from her wardrobe.
But why do we forget the purpose clothes hold in our wardrobe? Season-specific, and location-appropriate, a swimsuit is nothing but a uniform for the sandy beach. With a seemingly revolutionised portrayal of swimwear in Hindi cinema, we sadly are still debating around a woman’s choice of skin show, through some impeccable bikini designs. And while it makes us question our society’s ancient thoughts, it also has me wondering about every time that the industry’s biggest names broke the stereotypes, and donned a swimsuit for the big screen. Hence, we are tracing back all the iconic swimwear looks in Bollywood. And of course, these are some of our favourites.
Nutan In Dilli Ka Thug
In the 1958 film–Dilli Ka Thug, Nutan brought the idea of donning swimwear to Bollywood. In one of the scenes of the film, she sported a classic black swimsuit. She later also wore a striped swimsuit for the film Yaadgar, which also became popular amongst fashion nerds.
Tanuja In Chand Aur Suraj
In the year 1965, actress Tanuja donned a black swimsuit for the film Chand Aur Suraj. For a special song in the Dharmendra-starrer movie, Tanuja chose to wear a black swimsuit layered under a printed jacket in “Baag Mein Kali Khili.”
Mumtaz In Apradh
For the 1972 film–Apradh, actress Mumtaz broke stereotypes by donning a bikini. For a shot by the beach, Mumtaz picked up a classic bikini with side, loop closures and chose to dress her hair with a hairband. She later confessed to being insecure about her weight, while pulling off the look.
Sharmila Tagore In An Evening In Paris
Actress Sharmila Tagore had us all obsessed with her multiple bikini looks in the film–An Evening In Paris and made her blue swimsuit extremely famous. For her popular song opposite Shammi Kapoor, Tagore donned a sky-blue floral swimsuit and two pigtails.
https://youtu.be/Qxbx0Qo2eq4
Helen In Gumnaam
Actress Helen has always been a pioneer in terms of popular tracks, dance numbers, and of course dazzling costumes. For the 1965 film–Gumnaam, the actress arrived for a special song–“Gham Chhodke Manao Rangreli,” and wore a semi-tutu swimsuit in the shade of lilac. She curated the look with hair styled into her signature beehive and danced her heart out.
Parveen Babi In Yeh Nazdeekiyan
In the 1982 film Yeh Nazdeekiyan, actress Parveen Babi made waves with her lacy black bikini set. For a melodious song in the film, Parveen curated the look using a shell neckpiece, and a sarong.
Zeenat Aman In Heera Panna
Actress Zeenat Aman turned heads in the 1973 by sporting a colourful bikini in Heera Panna. The gorgeous polka dot design was seen on Aman in a scene with actor Dev Anand. In the song “Main Tasveer Utarta Hoo,” Zeenat wore a two-piece set, which also featured a tiny sarong. She accessorised the look using a belly chain, and hoop earrings.
Dimple Kapadia In Bobby
For her debut film–Bobby, Dimple Kapadia rose to become a style icon with her sartorial selection in the film. Playing the titular character, Kapadia donned a gamut of interesting designs, some of which included her famous micro-skirt, polka-dot tie-up shirt, and candy orange bikini.
Mallika Sherawat In Murder
With her choice of scripts, Mallika Sherawat was always tagged as the “boldest heroine” in Bollywood. In her blockbuster 2004 film–Murder, Mallika made waves in her blue, and green bikini set, which came with a tiny sarong.
Also Read: Deepika Padukone Is Our Monday Mahila Crush In Snazzy Beachwear For ‘Besharam Rang.’ Sorry SRK, But DP Nailed It!
Bipasha Basu- Dhoom 2
Actress Bipasha Basu made candy-coloured bikinis a new fashion trend with her looks in the film–Dhoom 2. From frill-laden hemlines to sunny yellow numbers, costume designer–Anaita Shroff Adajania curated some quirky resort wear looks on Basu, using bohemian jewellery.
Kareena Kapoor Khan-Tashan
Actress Kareena Kapoor Khan introduced the idea of size zero for her look in the film–Tashan. For even a special song in the film titled–“Chhaliya,” Kareena pulled off some iconic bikini, and street style-chic looks designed by costume stylists Aki Narula and Manish Malhotra.
Priyanka Chopra In Dostana
In the 2008 film–Dostana, Priyanka Chopra made some spectacular sartorial choices by donning the
“desi girl” famous saree, and her popular sequin swimsuit in gold. Designed again by Manish Malhotra, and Aki Narula, Priyanka made waves in the sultry, cut-out number.
Also Read: MP Home Minister Has An Objection To Deepika Padukone’s Saffron Bikini In ‘Besharam Rang’ From ‘Pathaan’
Alia Bhatt In Student Of The Year
In her debut film–Student Of The Year, Alia Bhatt’s character Shanaya wore a sunny yellow bikini. She incorporated a little colour play with an orange-dyed scarf and red lip colour. She also completed the look with a breezy sheer shirt in the same shade and wet hair.
https://youtu.be/4DrIF0n8JWM
Sonam Kapoor In Bewakoofiyaan
Sonam Kapoor has always been open to experiments, and for the first ever time in films, the actress decided to try a bikini look, and aced it. The actress pulled off a gorgeous, bandeau bikini in fuchsia pink for a scene in the Ayushmann Khurrana-starrer film–Bewakoofiyaan.
Deepika Padukone Pathaan
Deepika Padukone and Shah Rukh Khan’s much-awaited film–Pathaan is yet to hit the big screen, but its first song–“Besharam Rang” has already created a lot of buzz. In the latest track filmed on a beach, Deepika aces swimwear like a queen. From mermaid colours to tangy orange, Padukone pulled off some icon-worthy designs styled by Shaleena Nathani.
Tell us your favourite iconic bikini look from Bollywood.
First Published: December 15, 2022 2:04 PMAnushka Sharma Enjoys Maldives Getaway With Family, The Sun, And Cute Bikinis
