A while ago I had the chance to go and see the infamous, and traditionally challenging, Bollywood film Veere Di Wedding (a story about four women who go left, right and centre breaking Indian cultural traditions and norms in different ways) The film got a shocking rating of 1.85 on Rotten Tomato, and grumbles of angry murmuring Asian aunties unhappy with the film’s insufficiency to portraying pure India…
This movie takes a modern approach from the costume designs to the characters, all the while de-stigmatising Indian women to certain cultural associations, and rather shining a spotlight for a new identity to rise for women, a new modern day identity for the Indian woman.
It was a very good film. A film I thoroughly enjoyed.
Alas, this is no review on the bold moves of Sonam Kapoor, Kareena Kapoor, Swara Bashkar, Shikha Talsania, who defy the Indians tradition and create a pathway for empowered and inspired women in India, no. This is a review of the costume designs these lovely ladies wear in the film, and yeah, how, it promotes female articulation and empowerment India today. It goes without saying that India, in particular, is a very sexist and patriarchal nation, with a lot of young Indian women being marginalised and cast aside in society. Yet the fact that there is a growing and spreading awareness of this issue in India, with Bollywood doing socially defying movies such as this, and with Cosmopolitans recent Magazine release feature vocalising inspiring women of 2018 and the stories they share for marginalised women across the world, and with India’s legislation act passed of same sex marriage, conveys the utter importance and step in the right direction that India as a nation is making, is truly incredible to see.
These very values and traditions that rule India here are immensely challenged throughout the film where these lovely ladies here, tell these traditions to go to hell!
I was impressed by the daring and modern outfit choices these ladies wore, and how it became essentially a part of their characters.
This is one of our favourite outfits in the whole movie, and funnily enough, this beauty is revealed to the audience right at the end (extremely unfair). Keeping the traditional Indian Lengha in mind, Rhea Kapoor and Abu Sandeep recrafted that traditional garment and its associated stereotypes to portray a modern feel. Rhea Kapoor herself says: ‘I wanted the clothes to depict a modern Indian woman. I didn’t want the bridal looks to be vanilla either, but unique and beautiful.’ ‘Vanilla’ these outfits are definitely not! They decided to ditch the classical dupatta style of this garment, instead settling for a ‘Wear-what-I-want’ look. On Livermint I found that ‘Sonam’s blouse is inspired by miniature paintings, as seen around the neck. Kareena’s outfit is also rather unusual, with colourful embroidery on a black base.’ An ‘unusual’ outfit that those Indian spices themselves can’t handle!
Swara Bashkar, another hand-fully depicted character in the film, is given a dangerously elegant slit in her colourful embroidered lengha, to add a dark and sexy edge. But, tops this outfit off with a ‘Wear-what-I-want’ look by plunging into the casual crafts of Denim. The western and eastern fused look here reinforces her bad-ass, rule-breaking character alluding to the breaking of stereotypes that should occur for women in India.
Outfit Numero 2
This Lengha follows a more traditional style of a wedding dress. But in its right it is beautifully simple. Compared to the heavy deep red, or magneta pink wedding lenghas I have seen cousins wearing at their weddings, almost always making me question how the bride has not toppled over yet at the weight of her lengha (not that I wish that upon them), it goes without saying that it is a massive change. The decking up of makeup, heavy jewellery, heavy henna (going right up to the elbows and legs), is all replaced with a very simplistic look. Kareena Kapoor stands here with little henna on her hands, very few churiya on one arm and a simple yet elegant pearl necklace. The western element of this Lengha derives from the off the shoulder look that leaves the body bare, and with the colour scheme being nude and light coloured tones, as opposed to the bold red or pink traditional wedding lenghas. The dupatta- a heavy symbol of the patriarchal regime – is rather attached loosely to her hair, as opposed to the weight heavy dupatta brides covered over their heads, and the makeup here is very minimal. Yet she looks absolutely stunning. Alongside challenging the traditions of India, it also crafts a new trend for upcoming Bride-To-Be’s.
No more awkwardly dancing in heavy gowns, Ladies!
It seems, old trends are coming back!
We learned that this garment was made 25 years ago by Abu Sandeep, and was ultimately remodified for the purpose of this film. Regardless, it looks absolutely stunning.
The film is an incredible film to go watch, so if you have the time or want to watch another Bollywood movie then go check it out. It’s actually quite hilarious.
Translations
Veere Di Wedding – Bro’s Wedding
Lengha – A traditional two-piece garment, with a long skirt, a short blouse and a veil that matches
Churiya – Bangles
What did you think about these socially defying outfits? Let us know your thoughts in the comments section below!