Aishwarya Rai Bachchan in Macau

Aishwarya Rai Bachchan in Macau for IIFA.

The most iconic Bollywood costumes and ensembles: From Meena Kumari to Madhuri Top Ten Looks

Sridevi in and as Chandni (1989)
Outfit by Neeta Lulla

 

Madhuri Dixit in Hum Aapke Hain Kaun (1994)
Outfit by Anna Singh

 

Juhi Chawla in Hum Hain Rahi Pyare Ke (1993) 
Outfit by Neeta Lulla 

Rekha in Utsav (1984) 
Costume by Leena Daru

Mumtaz in the film Brahmachari (1968)
Outfit by Academy Award winning designer Bhanu Athiya 

Aishwarya Rai in Hum Dil de Chuke Sanam (1999)
All outfits and jewellery by Neeta Lulla 

Parveen Babi in Namak Halaal (1982) 
Outfit by Xerxes Bhathena

Meena Kumari in Sahib Bibi Aur Ghulam (1962)
Outfits by Bhanu Athiya

When it comes to Bollywood fashion, people tend to throw around the word "iconic" a little too loosely. Not everything is iconic. It has become the laziest go-to term for social media hacks - a habit that has now spilled over into print media as well. Sloppy writing at its finest.Well, at its worst really. 

These outfits, however, are genuinely memorable. One glance and you instantly know exactly which actress wore it, in which film, and often during which song. Here are just a handful of truly unforgettable looks as the leading ladies of Indian cinema. 

Manish Malhotra's Bollywood clothes... needs its own separate list. Neeta Lulla in the 90s, Bhanu's classics and the underrated Xerxes... who dazzled - literally. He was a bit too keen on the glitter and sequins. But it worked - embellishments and over the top outfits were the rage of the 70s and 80s... 

Urmila in Rangeela (1995)
All outfits by Manish Malhotra

Kareena Kapoor in Kabhi Khushi Kabhi Gum (2001)
All outfits by Manish Malhotra

Aishwarya Rai in Hum Kisise Kam Nahin

Aishwarya Rai in Hum Kisise Kam Nahin. 

A staggeringly unfunny movie where Ash looks staggeringly beautiful! 

Such wasted talent and opportunity. 

 

Jeans: Aishwarya Rai's Tamil hit: Hindi flop

Hrithik Roshan with Aishwarya Rai in Dhoom 2

Aishwarya Rai

Aishwarya Rai meets the press. In an off-shoulder dress with her tresses flowing... 

Just gorgeous. 

Aishwarya Rai in Kyun Ho Gaya Na

Aishwarya Rai in Kyun Ho Gaya Na

But for one song, an entirely forgettable film. 

Juhi Chawla in Ram Jaane

A moment of appreciation for the classic Indian beauty that is Juhi Chawla. Known for her comedy, her good looks were overshadowed by her zany performances. Like Lucille Ball, who was a great beauty, but people only remember her for her comedy. Same with Juhi - one just remembers her oh-so-cute performances and her wow looks gets swept under the rug.  

In the otherwise awful film like Ram Jaane - with Shahrukh Khan's most hyper overacting - Juhi was a breath of fresh air. She looked incredible, danced well - and was so so so lovely in the song Na re baba kaanta chubh... 

+ Shout out to Neeta Lulla for all the incredible looks in this song. 

MOVIE magazine's Portraits: Collector's Edition

 

Aishwarya Rai in the 90s on set