Young heroines are reviving classic styles of their mothers and yesteryears actresses
Like it or not, Bollywood’s fashion archives are being raided by the very stars making new headlines today. The latest red carpet looks were inspired by top heroines of the ’80s. In a culture where film and fashion go hand in hand, the revival of vintage styles isn’t just a nod to nostalgia; it’s a soft power flex.
Sarees, Suits & Sentimentality
At the Cannes Film Festival, Janhvi Kapoor wore a white saree, an exact carbon copy of her mother, Sri Devi in Chandini. She had kept her look subtle with statement jhumkas and highlighted makeup. “When I saw Janhvi in Sridevi’s saree, I got emotional. It wasn’t just fashion—it was legacy. I grew up watching Sridevi, and now watching her daughter carry that grace forward feels like watching memories walk the red carpet,” says Ritika Nair, a homemaker.
Joining Janhvi Kapoor is her sister Khushi Kapoor, who wore her mother, late Sridevi’s, dazzling golden gown. Khushi made heads turn in this embellished masterpiece. The strapless number was originally worn by Sridevi at an international event, and Khushi brought it back in a modern silhouette.
Style Is Timeless
It’s no mistake that the actress doing rounds on all our social media pages is Alia Bhatt in a pink saree that was recreated keeping Rehka’s saree from Silsila. Alia’s look was a modern take on the timeless elegance of Rekha’s signature style, complete with old-school glam and minimal fuss. The audience loved it. Instagram went into overdrive.
Recently hitched actor Keerthy Suresh shared a special moment from her wedding where she recreated her mother Menaka Suresh’s bridal look. She chose her mother's wedding saree, and refurbished it. A stunning red-toned saree adorned with intricate silver floral motifs and shimmering zari embroidery. She completed her look by adding a diamond necklace, matching earrings, a maang tikka, and a set of bangles. “When stars wear vintage, it’s less about styling and more about storytelling. People love to see their favourites being sentimental,” says stylist Amy Fernandes, based in Dubai. Kaia Gerber showed up to the premiere of her movie at the 2024 Toronto International Film Festival wearing a white bodycon dress from Hervé Léger—a re-creation of the very same look that ’90s supermodel and mom Cindy Crawford wore to the 1993 Academy Awards ceremony.
Blast from the Past
For a traditional occasion, Sonam Kapoor wore her mother Sunita Kapoor’s vintage red saree. The printed bandhani-style drape was paired with regal jewellery and a sleek hairdo. Sonam is Bollywood’s undisputed queen of curated nostalgia.
There is no doubt that for every girl, her mother is a fashion inspiration. Shilpa Shetty Kundra recreated her mother, Sunanda Shetty’s look for one of the episodes of her reality show, Super Dancer Chapter 4. Her caption can read: “Vintage Mirror Image! This #LookOfTheDay is an ode to my very own fashion icon & inspiration, my mommy! Not only was she a style queen back in the day, but also the epitome of grace & beauty for me even today. Ahh... those perfect kajal-outlined eyes. Not a patch on, but I still tried! Love you, Maa!”
Long ago, Ananya Pandey showed up in her mother Bhavana Pandey’s sea-green kurta set, looking effortlessly chic. The outfit was simple but striking—a throwback to when Bollywood stars made statements in suits, not sequins. A homage to late designer Rohit Bal by wearing a custom outfit he created for her mother, Bhavana Pandey, 21 years ago.
Janhvi Kapoor honoured her mother Sridevi most gracefully by wearing her red chiffon saree by Sabyasachi. The stunner had belonged to Sridevi, who was known for her exquisite taste. Fans were moved not just by her style but by the silent tribute wrapped in tradition. She didn’t just look like her mother — she reminded the world of Sridevi. “We’re in an era where personal style has become deeply sentimental. Recreated vintage looks connect stars to their roots—there’s something very powerful about stepping into a silhouette your mother once wore. And when you modernise it with updated tailoring or accessories, it becomes timeless," says Tanya Gupta, a Stylist based in Delhi.
During 2020, Suhana Khan had taken to her socials and posted a picture of herself in her mother’s black-coloured wrap-around dress that featured green and white geometric prints all over it. She completed the look with bracelets and minimal makeup.
