Remember the days when a Bollywood movie could single-handedly dictate fashion trends? Madhuri Dixit’s blue saree in ‘Hum Aapke Hain Koun…!’, Shah Rukh Khan’s ‘COOL’ bracelet in ‘Kuch Kuch Hota Hai’, Kajol’s bands and hairstyle with shaded sarees, or Salman Khan’s leather jacket in ‘Maine Pyaar Kiya’—these weren’t just costumes; they were fashion phenomena. But today, that kind of craze is rare. Why? Let’s break it down.
Back in the day, people looked to Bollywood for style inspiration, and trends would stick around for years. Now, thanks to social media, fashion changes almost overnight. Influencers and celebrities showcase new looks daily, and fast fashion brands make them available instantly. By the time a film releases, a similar style has already flooded stores, making movie-inspired fashion less exclusive.
Fashion designer, Rohit Verma: Over the years, India has evolved significantly in terms of fashion. Today’s youth are extremely creative and trendy. Social media, influencers, fashion weeks, and the media have taken over, making people more experimental with their style. Through social media, individuals now find inspiration and create their own unique looks.
If you compare daily soaps from 20 years ago to today, you’ll notice a complete transformation in fashion trends. The youth now want to set their own trends. Earlier, Bollywood movies and magazines were the primary sources of fashion inspiration. Now, thanks to social media, the entire world has become a shared space for fashion influence.
Bollywood once gave us instantly recognizable outfits.
Madhuri Dixit’s blue saree in Hum Aapke Hain Koun..! – A wedding staple for years.
Shah Rukh Khan’s ‘COOL’ bracelet in Kuch Kuch Hota Hai—a must-have for college kids.
Salman Khan’s leather jacket in Maine Pyaar Kiya—the ultimate style statement.
Kajol’s double-shaded saree in Kuch Kuch Hota Hai—a festive fashion favorite
Divya Bharti’s colourful hair bows/ribbons
Today, movies lean towards realistic styling—more practical, everyday wear rather than over-the-top, statement-making looks. As a result, outfits blend in rather than stand out.
Costume designers now focus on authenticity rather than fantasy. Characters wear clothes that real people would—high-street brands, comfortable fits, and casual styles. This shift makes fashion in films more relatable but less iconic.
Costume Designer and stylist, Rohit Chaturvedi: Fashion, in many ways, has moved away from cinema. We are now in an era of extremely realistic films that resonate with the masses, which has reduced the aspirational value once associated with movie fashion. Two decades ago, directors would specifically ask for aspirational fashion elements in films, but now, stories are deeply rooted in realism, minimizing that impact. Meanwhile, fashion as an industry has permeated the masses differently, thanks to social media and Instagram. Brands have become more accessible and affordable, making fashion trends more widely available to people. The era when Bollywood dictated fashion—like when Bunty Aur Babli and Main Hoon Na set trends—was the last phase of film-driven fashion. Now, we no longer see such fashion waves. The only recent example of a merchandise-driven trend was in Bajrangi Bhaijaan, where Salman Khan’s Hanuman Gadhaa locket gained popularity. But beyond that, film fashion trends have largely faded.
Has social media changed the game?
Earlier, people waited for movies to set fashion trends. Now, they follow celebrities on Instagram, get style tips from influencers, and shop straight from social media ads. Instead of waiting for Deepika Padukone’s next film, fans copy her airport looks. Alia Bhatt’s wedding outfits get more attention than her on-screen wardrobe. Fashion inspiration is everywhere—movies no longer have a monopoly on it.
Fashion and make up artiste, Deepesh Shah: Fashion trends change faster than ever. More importantly, film actors now promote new fashion trends outside of movies through fashion shows, photoshoots, and social media, which limits the influence of film-based fashion trends. Additionally, television shows have also started shaping fashion trends.
