There are designers who follow trends, and then there’s Manish Malhotra who sets them. From reshaping the way we perceive Indian wear in the early 2000s to offering couture that bridges nostalgia with modernity, Malhotra’s work has always been more than just design. But beyond the couture runways and celebrity campaigns lies his most influential legacy—the silver screen. For over three decades, the designer hasn’t merely styled characters; he’s shaped cultural memory and, most importantly, given us the ultimate wedding wardrobe inspiration.
Today, whether you're curating a wedding trousseau or crafting your bridesmaid era aesthetic, the inspiration still harks back to those unforgettable on-screen looks. From Kabhi Khushi Kabhie Gham to Rocky Aur Rani Ki Prem Kahani, each of Malhotra's creations is brimming with lessons—and we’re here to decode them so you can create the wedding wardrobe of your dreams.
Kareena Kapoor in Kabhi Khushi Kabhie Gham
Lesson: Bodycon meets Bollywood for main character energy inspiration.
Before “main character energy” became an Instagram caption, there was Poo, strutting down the staircase in her fur-trimmed top, metallic mini skirt and perfectly straightened hair. This was the peak of Y2K, and Malhotra didn’t just embrace the era’s maximalism—he defined it. Think: rhinestones, spaghetti straps, body-hugging lehengas with backless cholis, and cut-outs that oozed confidence. Even her traditional outfits, like the iconic sharara in Bole Chudiyan, remain a high point on the glam scale, with everyone eager to channel their sass through micro blouses and sequin-heavy ensembles.
Priyanka Chopra Jonas in Dostana
Lesson: The sari is a weapon—style it like one.
In 2008, Malhotra took the sari and gave it a bold, sexy rebrand. From strappy bikini blouses to sequin petticoats, these saris were styled to shimmer, drape effortlessly, and reintroduce the sari to a generation of women who thought it wasn’t “cool” enough. The takeaway? Your wedding guest look doesn’t have to scream traditional to be timeless.
Anushka Sharma in Ae Dil Hai Mushkil
Lesson: The heavier the lehenga, the greater the cultural reset.
Few things scream ‘regal bride’ quite like a 17-kilo lehenga steeped in Mughal glamour. Anushka’s bridal look in ADHM was a showstopper—not just because of its sheer weight (and sequins), but because it contrasted with her laidback pre-wedding style: distressed jeans and breezy kurtas. What we’ve learned is that a statement bridal moment is all about duality. Be the girl who shows up in juttis and a hoodie one day, then drops jaws in full zardozi the next.
Deepika Padukone in Yeh Jawaani Hai Deewani
Lesson: The sari is the new LBD.
The scene. The entrance. The blue sari. Enough said. Malhotra turned cocktail dressing on its head with this look—and suddenly, every girl wanted to trade her gown for georgette. The elegance of navy, the flirtiness of sheer fabric, and the unexpected sexiness of the bralette blouse? A timeless formula. Let this be your sign to trade in your slip dress for a sari that moves just right. Bonus points if there’s a destination wedding and a Ranbir Kapoor lookalike involved.
Alia Bhatt in Rocky Aur Rani Ki Prem Kahani
Lesson: The sari goes everywhere.
If Alia Bhatt’s rainbow-hued saris in RRRPK taught us anything, it’s this: the sari isn’t confined to just one context. Whether it’s swaying in mustard fields (Kuch Kuch Hota Hai vibes), fluttering in snowy Kashmir, or worn casually to the office—Malhotra’s chiffon creations made the case for the sari as a lifestyle. The styling was minimal—clean lines, breezy blouses, classic drapes—which is exactly why they were so wearable. For brides building a trousseau, this is your blueprint: collect saris that do it all, from haldi to honeymoon.
