Jul 27, 2024
Instagram/ Aishwarya Rai Bachchan
Aishwarya Rai Bachchan has a soft spot for period dramas, her filmography is proof. Her recent role of Queen Nandini in Mani Ratnam’s 'Ponniyin Selvan Part 1' further establishes this. Here are some of our favourite vintage/period looks.
Draped in a saree, which we assume is Kanjeevaram silk, and elaborate jewellery, Aish looks every bit the queen she is. Her open hair and nude look adds an other worldliness to her look.
In her debut film, also directed by Mani Ratnam, Aish played two roles in the film. One of them was based on the life of actor-turned-politician Jayalalitha.
Aishwarya plays a girl who falls in love with a musician but has to marry a businessman. It shows the coming-of-age of a young woman and the transition from chaniya cholis to chiffon sarees with a shawl was a brilliant use of clothing, that the diva pulled off effortlessly.
In a creative adaptation of Rabindranth Tagore’s story, Aishwarya plays Binodini, a young widow who is in the centre of a tumultuous relationship. She carries the role and look with exceptional grace.
Aishwarya looks resplendent as Paro in Sanjay Leela Bhansal’s adaptation of Sarat Chandra Chatterjee’s ‘Devdas’. Aish, clad in Benarasi sarees, vermillion and big bindi, is every bit a Bengali ‘bouthaan’ as Chatterjee could have imagined.
Aishwarya plays the role of the courtesan Umrao, played by Rekha in 1981. Aishwarya looks the part of a courtesan and muse, adorned in zardozi, jewels and kohl-rimmed eyes, at the peak of Lucknow’s ‘nawabiyat’.
Aishwarya delivered a smashing performance as the wide-eyed Rajput princess Jodhaa, who marries emperor Akbar in an unlikely love story. Her jewels and clothes were a stark contrast to her minimal make-up but left a lasting impact.
Acing the girl-next-door look, Aishwarya’s look was minimal yet again with a bindi, a neat bun and saree. She makes a strong case for simplicity!
The film has a European flair, which was further elaborated in Aishwarya’s looks. Inspired by Spain, with a bohemian twist, she wears a low bun with strands astray. Her lips are bold and her dresses have voluminous skirts with aprons and tight bodices.