A History of Bollywood Actors in Saris

From Mumtaz's iconic orange number to Sridevi's diaphanious chiffons Silsila and Priyanka's champagne-hued shimmery number, we journey through the evolution of the nine-yard drape.

24 August, 2020

From Mumtaz's iconic orange number to Sridevi's diaphanious chiffons Silsila and Priyanka's champagne-hued shimmery number, we journey through the evolution of the nine-yard drape.

As the last of the colonial influence lingered on, demure and understated style was the fashion of the era and the sari's followed suit. Actors such as Nargis and Waheeda Rehman were seen in elegant, neatly-pleated and crisply-draped saris, in-keeping with the classic fashions of the time. Image: Nargis in Andaaz 1949

1The 1940s andAs the last of the colonial influence lingered on, demure and understated style was the fashion of the era and the sari's followed suit. Actors such as Nargis and Waheeda Rehman were seen in elegant, neatly-pleated and crisply-draped saris, in-keeping with the classic fashions of the time. Image: Nargis in Andaaz 1949

2Nargis in Shri 420

3Waheeda Rehman in Pyaasa

Enter an era of glamour and style-evolution. Beginning with the influence of Bengali cinema and the opulance of Meena Kumari, we travel trough the tightly-wound styles of Sadhana to the true flamboyance of Mumtaz. By 1967 the time for experimentation had truly set in, be it with Mumtaz's iconic orange sari-gown or Vajyanthimala's red and white, pom-pom-applique sari in jewel thief. Image: Meena Kumari in Sahib Biwi Aur Gulaam 1962

4TheEnter an era of glamour and style-evolution. Beginning with the influence of Bengali cinema and the opulance of Meena Kumari, we travel trough the tightly-wound styles of Sadhana to the true flamboyance of Mumtaz. By 1967 the time for experimentation had truly set in, be it with Mumtaz's iconic orange sari-gown or Vajyanthimala's red and white, pom-pom-applique sari in jewel thief. Image: Meena Kumari in Sahib Biwi Aur Gulaam 1962

5Bengali actor Madhabi Mukherjee in Saytajit Ray's Charulata

6Sadhana in Waqt

7Sadhana in Waqt

8Vyjayanthimala in Jewel Thief

9Mumtaz in Bhramachari

Jaya Bachchan made the simple sari a household influence (all with some 70s flare) while Hema Malini and Zeenat Aman brought fashion to the forefront with knotted blouses and modern styling.

10The 1970s Jaya Bachchan made the simple sari a household influence (all with some 70s flare) while Hema Malini and Zeenat Aman brought fashion to the forefront with knotted blouses and modern styling.

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Yash Chopra truly celebrated the sari in it's sensual, body-hugging avataar. Rekha's iconic flowy crepe and chiffon drapes in Silsila are synonymous with 80s glamour. And who can forget the sex-appeal of Sridevi's diaphanous, bringhtly-hued chiffons in Chandani and Mr. India. Image: Rekha Silsila 1981.

14TheYash Chopra truly celebrated the sari in it's sensual, body-hugging avataar. Rekha's iconic flowy crepe and chiffon drapes in Silsila are synonymous with 80s glamour. And who can forget the sex-appeal of Sridevi's diaphanous, bringhtly-hued chiffons in Chandani and Mr. India. Image: Rekha Silsila 1981.

15Image: Rekha Silsila

16Image: Rekha and Jaya Bachchan in Silsila

17Sridevi in Mr. India

18Sridevi in Chandani

The re-imagining of the sari had begun. Madhuri Dixit's backless blouse captured the imagination and of a generation and earned it the moniker of the most talked about sari of it's time, as did Raveena Tandon's flutter-sleeve, bright yellow number.

19The 1990sThe re-imagining of the sari had begun. Madhuri Dixit's backless blouse captured the imagination and of a generation and earned it the moniker of the most talked about sari of it's time, as did Raveena Tandon's flutter-sleeve, bright yellow number.

20Raveena Tandon in Mohra

21Aishwarya Rai in Hum Dil De Chuke Sanam

From period-dramas to bikini-blouses, the sari was now found in many a re-imagination, each of which sparked a modern-day fashion trend. Image; Aiswarya Rai in Devdas 2002

22The 2000sFrom period-dramas to bikini-blouses, the sari was now found in many a re-imagination, each of which sparked a modern-day fashion trend. Image; Aiswarya Rai in Devdas 2002

23Kareena Kapoor Khan in Chameli

24Sushmita Sen in Main Hoon Na

25Priyanka Chopra in Dostana

Deepika Padukone's low draped sari re-defined wedding cocktail galmour and Katrina Kaif's traditional Koli Kashta re-imagined set the tone for the quintessential washboard-abs Bollywood item number. From then till now, the six yard drape has transformed from one avatar to the other, firmly establishing itself as Bollywood most-covered clothing of choice. Image: Kareena Kapoor in Ra One 2001

26The 2010sDeepika Padukone's low draped sari re-defined wedding cocktail galmour and Katrina Kaif's traditional Koli Kashta re-imagined set the tone for the quintessential washboard-abs Bollywood item number. From then till now, the six yard drape has transformed from one avatar to the other, firmly establishing itself as Bollywood most-covered clothing of choice. Image: Kareena Kapoor in Ra One 2001