Manisha Koirala

When Manisha Koirala arrived with a bang in Bollywood, she was so staggeringly beautiful. A great actress... an ok dancer. She somehow had hit songs but she's more thespian than gizelle...

Rekha in Silsila: Perfection

When Yash Chopra’s Silsila arrived in theaters on August 14, 1981, it didn’t just captivate audiences with its intense romantic narrative—it fundamentally altered the visual landscape of Hindi cinema. At the center of this aesthetic revolution was Rekha, whose ethereal, soft-focus look instantly captivated a nation.

Crafted by costume designer Leena Daru, with significant input from Rekha’s own penchant for understated glamour (which change dramatically by the excess of the late 80s - more on that later), the wardrobe for Rekha’s character, Chandni, broke away from the loud, heavy prints of the late 1970s. In their place came a masterclass in minimalist luxury: fluid chiffon sarees in muted pastel shades of ivory, peach, and sky blue, paired with sleeveless silk blouses. Complementing these were long, flowing kurtas matched with light dupattas draped loosely across the arms—a look designed to catch the wind and heighten the film's romantic intensity.

The year 1981 marked a transitional high point for Bollywood fashion icons. While Zeenat Aman and Parveen Babi championed Western disco-era glamour, and Tina Munim brought vibrant, youth-centric college style to screen, Rekha redefined traditional Indian ethnic wear. Alongside Dimple Kapadia’s effortless bohemian chic, Rekha established a mature, aspirational elegance that set the tone for the decade.

The "Silsila effect" sparked trends that defined 1981 and beyond. It popularized color-coordinated couple styling—matching Amitabh Bachchan’s classic trench coats and turtlenecks with Rekha’s pastel palette—and pushed Bollywood toward a softer beauty aesthetic. Out went exaggerated 1970s winged eyeliner and teased bouffants; in came dewy, natural makeup, deep lip shades, and sleek, middle-parted straight hair. Over four decades later, the aesthetic remains the ultimate benchmark for Hindi cinematic romance.

I've said this before and I say it repeatedly, Rekha in Silsila was the apotheosis of aspirational aesthetics. Not a hair out of place. We've archived her 63 looks in the film, but a personal favourite is this white and gold glittering sari. 

Aishwaya Rai with Abhishek Bachchan: When Chemistry Couldn’t Save the Box Office: The Legacy of Dhaai Akshar Prem Ke

In the autumn of 2000, Bollywood anticipated a cinematic match made in heaven. Released on September 29, 2000, Raj Kanwar’s Dhaai Akshar Prem Ke brought together two of Indian cinema’s rising stars: a 24-year-old Abhishek Bachchan, fresh off his critically acclaimed debut in Refugee, and a 26-year-old Aishwarya Rai, already an established superstar and famed global beauty.

Despite the palpable real-life spark between its leads, the romantic drama ultimately fell flat at the box office, settling into the category of a commercial flop. Its predictable storyline failed to capture audiences, yet the film remains a fascinating time capsule of turn-of-the-millennium Bollywood aesthetics. Great visuals, choreography, outfits, and the staggeringly beautiful leading lady, where the tall Bachchchan Jnr had to match steps with. 

Visually, the movie was a feast for fashion enthusiasts. Celebrity designer Neeta Lulla crafted Aishwarya’s wardrobe, dressing her in vibrant traditional wear and flowing, contemporary silhouettes that became a hallmark of early 2000s style. Every frame radiated elegance, elevated further by the signature touch of master choreographer Saroj Khan (assisted by Baba Yadav), who designed the film’s graceful dance numbers. The wedding song was wildly popular, and Ash really looked like a temple Goddess come to life. TBH its a bit frantic in parts - not as perfect as Nimbooda for example, but you can't take your eyes off Aishwarya... 

Musically, the soundtrack by duo Jatin–Lalit, paired with Sameer’s lyrics, fared somewhat better than the film itself. While not a runaway hit, tracks like the Do lafzon main, Mera Mahi Bada Sohna Hai"and the soulful title track enjoyed decent airplay and resonated with romance lovers.

Dhaai Akshar Prem Ke may not have conquered the box office, but it stands as an endearing chapter in Bollywood history—marking the early screen pairing of a duo that would later become one of the industry's most iconic couples on and off screen.

The perfect cast of Kandukondain Kandukondain:

 

Easitly one of the best Indian films ever made. The music, the cast, the cinematography, the costumes, the styling, the direction, the writing... I mean, a Tamil adaptation of Sense and Sensibility?! Perfection. 

Cine Blitz: Aishwarya Rai: July 1997

 

Aishwarya Rai's iconic pose for Taal

Stephen Fry mentioned in an interview he hates the word 'iconic' being used incorrectly. Well, over used. And I see it pop up just about everywhere. And he's so right.

However, this shot - is truly iconic. One look and you know instantly, its Aishwarya Rai in a career-defining role in Taal.

Young Aishwarya Rai in denim shorts: Supermodel in Mumbai

Young Aishwarya Rai during her modeling days. 

Sanjay Dutt and Aishwarya Rai's first cover with Cine Blitz: November 1993

Sanjay Dutt and Aishwarya Rai's first cover with Cine Blitz: November 1993. shot by the late great Gautam Rajadhyaksa. 

Ash was 19 when she shot this - still in college and already a name in the modeling industry! This is long before Miss World and five years before her film debut.

Aishwarya Rai Bachchan during Fanney Khan's publicity run

Aishwarya Rai Bachchan during her interview runs for Fanney Khan back in 2018. The Hindi-language musical comedy-drama film, a remake of the 2000 Belgian film Everybody's Famous!, was written and directed by debutant Atul Manjrekar, produced under Anil Kapoor Films Company and others, and stars Anil Kapoor in the titular role as a struggling singer and over-ambitious father, Aishwarya Rai Bachchan as the glamorous superstar singer Baby Singh, Rajkummar Rao, and Divya Dutta. 

The story revolves around a middle-aged father pushing his overweight teenage daughter to become a singing star, leading to comedic and emotional situations involving kidnapping a famous singer.

Anil Kapoor is in fine form... Ash... in parts was great. She was looking great during the publicity run of interviews and shoots... and then...  

The stylist edit: Rekha. Meenakshi

 

The stylist edit: Rekha. Meenakshi 

Whatever was trending in fashion, makeup or accessories, Rekha did it first. FYI! 

 

Girl Interrupted: Divya Bharti vs Sridevi

Born on 25 February 1974, Divya Bharti would have turned 52 today. She was styled to look like Sridevi-lite. Whether it was her, the industry, the people around her, the reference was follow the blue print of past icons. And she did it well. 

Many state, had she not died at the age of 19 --shockingly young--she would have been a top tier actress without doubt. 

Divya Bharti's death was the first shocking Bollywood news we remember. Sridevi's is the last. 

Aishwarya Rai in Khakhee (2004)

Aishwarya Rai in Khakhee (2004). A fantastic film with novel twists and turns, an all-star cast with only Aishwarya Rai as the leading lady... one of Ash's better performances despite a relatively short screentime. 

The right script and an able director, Rai has been unstoppable. Trouble now is most young, contemporary directors are in awe of her - her epic beauty and fame and the unmistakable star wattage that makes her one of the few female superstars in India. But a director cannot be intimidated or eclipsed by that same aura. 

Its a problem and a fate that is familiar to Bollywood watchers. Both Madhuri Dixit and Sridevi faced the same when the captain of the ship was so in awe of the leading lady, their films and performances suffered. When a young director meets the dazzling leading lady, they can't ask for a retake, correct them, edit them... The jaw drop of agreeing to everything a star does, that imbalance of ego and id makes for a lesser movie. 

When a senior director or filmmaker works with Ash, she famously becomes a student and following the direction (hello!) of the maker, her performance and look is elevated. All her performances with makers of note Mani Ratnam, Sanjay Leela Bhansali, Mansoor Khan, Yash/Adi Chopra.... are better as they don't fear asking Rai to re-do a scene, song or step.

 

Aishwarya Rai in Dhai Akshar Prem Ke (2000)

 

Aishwarya Rai in Dhai Akshar Prem Ke (2000)

Aishwarya Rai in white

Aishwarya Rai in white.

The day has come - I can no longer tell when a picture is real or manipulated by AI. 

Aishwarya Rai Bachchan wearing Manish Malhotra at Cannes 2025

 

Aishwarya Rai as a model

Aishwarya Rai as a model 

Aishwarya Rai's greatest stage performance

Aishwarya Rai did a medley of classic Indian songs on stage. Her finest dance performance on record. 

 

Aishwarya Rai at her engagement

January 2007, Aishwarya Rai, 34, seen leaving the Bachchan residence after an engagement party... 

 

The Staggering beauty of Aishwarya Rai in Taal

The Staggering beauty of Aishwarya Rai in Taal 

Released on August 13 (Sridevi's birthday!) in 1999, two months after the success of Hum Dil De Chuke Sanam, Aishwarya Rai ended the century at the very top. All of 26, she was easily the Number One female star of India.  Box office, awards, top co-stars, films, directors... just no looking back. Except to catch the light. 

Aishwarya Rai Bachchan in white

 Aishwarya Rai at an event...