Nostalgia is Bollywood’s most-trusted ingredient when it comes to fashion in films. For many, the idea of rehashing classic retro looks is still something so refreshing. From revisiting and remixing old Hindi songs, and hook steps to wrapping the lead heroines with retro-adored sarees, and floral accessories, almost every new film has pocketed a retro reference like this. This undying love for retro romance requires it to be done in a calculated way. By calculation we mean, mastering the art of replicating but with brains. Over the years, we have enjoyed these refurbished versions of Bollywood music, and fashion, but what makes them even more relevant today, is the filmmaker’s distinct perspective on it.
From Priyanka Chopra, and Shahid Kapoor starrer–Teri Meri Kahaani, to Ranbir Kapoor, and Anushka Sharma’s Ae Dil Hai Mushkil, celebrities, and their characters have extensively shared this common love for Bollywood’s golden era. Thanks to these films, the references related to roses, chiffon sarees, and hilltop dances, still visit the big screen through new narratives. An apt example of Bollywood’s romance with its past is filmmaker/choreographer–Farah Khan’s blockbuster film–Om Shanti Om.
Starring Shah Rukh Khan, and Deepika Padukone, the 2007 film was a flavourful ode to Hindi cinema. From romance, action, and drama to emotional dialogues, Om Shanti Om reloved, old-Bollywood, with all its heart. Mastering retro romance was every character in the film, who embraced old-school fashion. From sideburns to beehive hair, the replication was on point.
Garnishing the plot about reincarnation, love, fate, and revenge, were polka-dotted pants, melodramatic “kya, kya, kya,” and fuchsia ghaghara sets, that did the duties of building the old world right for us. Recreating this era for modern-day viewers, was a task that Farah Khan and costume designer–Manish Malhotra aced at. And doing justice to elaborate costumes, and chandelier chic was actress Deepika Padukone, who at times had us questioning, if it is her debut film? Switching between Shanti Priya, and Sandy was Padukone’s craft, and Shah Rukh Khan’s undeniable screen presence. So, as Om Shanti Om celebrates 15 years since its release, we are looking back at the retro-adored fashion, that the film had us falling for, again, and again.
The Dream Girl Effect
Loaning sartorial nuance from Hema Malini’s hit film–Dream Girl, was Deepika’s character–Shanti Priya. Often, reminding us of a similar energy, and shared worlds of the two actresses, were poster designs on massive hoardings, and floral hairdos. For the most part of the film, costume designer–Manish Malhotra, used Hema Malini’s Dream Girl as a skeleton to build the sartorial world of Shanti Priya. From the iconic fuchsia lehenga set, that she wears to the premiere, to her classic black lehenga, and roses-laden bun, that observes her murder, Shanti Priya wears the soul of dream girl throughout the film.
Nostalgia-Driven Hair
Stitching a sense of nostalgia, were character looks, and hairstyles. Styles like side-burns for men, massive beehives, and sporty hair scarves for women, made a comeback. The homecoming of braided buns, coupled with curled-up flicks, and red roses, was a visible affair. Padukone sported a gamut of these vintage hairstyles, packed with churidar-kurtas, and lehengas.
Also Read: 5 Times Deepika Padukone Had Us On Our Knees In ‘Pathaan’ Teaser. We’re Simping Harder Than Ever Over Her!
Outburst Of Polka Dots
Polka dots have shared a years-long association with retro fashion. For every homage paid by designers to this old-school world of fashion, polkas in a variety of colours have always marked their attendance. Mixed with these bold prints were plaid suits, and turtle necks on leading man Shah Rukh Khan, and Deepika Padukone. Every time their characters took a trip down memory lane, polka dots, and their refreshing formats would revisit.
Expressive Eyes
If you notice the era of the early 60s and 70s, you can observe the obsession with winged eyeliners. In a bid to make a heroine’s eyes look dreamier, and even more expressive, an edgy winged liner would make it to every character look. And a similar eye makeup technique was used on Padukone to stitch the retro romance.
Fitted And Flared Silhouettes
Adoring the silhouette styles of the era gone by, were Padukone’s churidar-kurta sets, and statement sleeves. A heavy incorporation of embroidered necklines, chikankari bell sleeves, and short-length kurtas, became a member of the actress’ closet.
Also Read: Shah Rukh Khan Reinvented The Dress Code For Romance In Hindi Cinema
Fashioning Colours And Backdrops
Feeding the fantasies of a paisa-wasool Bollywood film, was the usage of colours, and massive backdrops. From fake snowfall and bright colours to cars, and larger-than-life sets, Om Shanti Om, and it’s melodious track list delivered a visual treat. This refashioning of old-worldly Bollywood films, and revised versions of song clips from the past, was done excellently, with no traces of poor photoshop skills.
The Villain Face
As per Bollywood’s idea of a classic villain, Om Shanti Om carefully designed Arjun Rampal’s look as Mukesh Mehra. Long hair, side burns, leather jackets, cigarettes, and awkward camera close ups, packaged the antagonist for us. And as usual, this toxic, hot anti-hero had us questioning our taste in men.
Tell us your favourite look from Om Shanti Om.
Feature Image Credits: Jasveen Kaur Sawhney