How Film Trends Shape Traditional Clothing Choices
In India, fashion is not just influenced by runway shows or designer collections—it is deeply entwined with cinema. Bollywood, with its star-studded casts and glamorous visuals, has long been a trendsetter in men’s ethnic fashion. From the embroidered sherwanis worn in epic love stories to the tailored bandhgalas sported at on-screen weddings, Bollywood has played a key role in shaping how Indian men perceive and wear traditional clothing.
Whether it’s a wedding, a festival, or a family celebration, men often look to Bollywood for style inspiration. But how exactly does film influence ethnic menswear fashion? Let’s explore the impact of cinema on traditional menswear and the evolving tastes of the modern Indian man.
Bollywood as India’s Runway Unlike fashion weeks that cater to niche audiences, Bollywood has mass appeal. It reaches homes across India—and beyond—creating a powerful visual impact. When a popular actor like Ranveer Singh or Shah Rukh Khan wears a particular style of kurta or sherwani on-screen, it often sparks immediate demand among viewers.
This phenomenon isn’t new. In the 1990s, Salman Khan’s “Prem” characters popularized the simple, embroidered kurta for weddings. In the 2000s, Shah Rukh Khan’s regal sherwanis in Kabhi Khushi Kabhie Gham became wedding staples. More recently, Ranbir Kapoor’s minimalistic, pastel-colored bandhgalas in Yeh Jawaani Hai Deewani sparked a trend for light-toned ethnicwear among younger grooms.
Films don’t just reflect fashion—they create aspirational identities that viewers want to emulate in real life.
Iconic Bollywood Looks That Defined Menswear
- Shah Rukh Khan – Kabhi Khushi Kabhie Gham (2001)
SRK’s velvet sherwanis, styled with heavy embroidery and dupattas, brought luxurious traditional wear into the mainstream. Post the film’s release, every groom wanted a look that resembled his larger-than-life wedding wardrobe.
- Saif Ali Khan – Kal Ho Naa Ho (2003)
Saif’s modern kurta-pajama with Nehru jackets added a contemporary twist to traditional silhouettes, especially for cocktail functions or sangeets. His polished Indo-western ensembles encouraged men to experiment with layers and color-blocking.
- Ranveer Singh – Ram-Leela (2013), Bajirao Mastani (2015), Padmaavat (2018)
Ranveer Singh’s bold ethnic choices revolutionized menswear. His flamboyant angrakhas, heavily embroidered jackets, and statement jewelry showed that men could wear traditional garments with flair and confidence. Post these films, ornate bandhgalas, dhoti pants, and layered sherwanis saw a significant resurgence.
- Vicky Kaushal – Uri (2019) and Real-Life Wedding Looks
Though not directly from a film, Vicky’s wedding attire, influenced by his on-screen persona of simplicity and strength, led to a surge in classic ivory sherwanis with minimal embroidery—balancing elegance with masculinity.
Styling Cues From the Screen Bollywood doesn’t just influence garments—it shapes how men style them:
Color Trends: Films often dictate seasonal color preferences. For example, post-Ae Dil Hai Mushkil, deep jewel tones like wine and midnight blue became popular for evening events.
Layering Techniques: Nehru jackets over kurtas, asymmetric bandhgalas, or double-layered sherwanis first seen on-screen are now commonly adopted by fashion-forward guests and grooms.
Jewelry and Accessories: From brooches to beaded malas, male celebrities in period dramas have normalized accessories once considered too bold for men.
Footwear Trends: Mojaris, juttis, and Kolhapuris showcased on-screen have seen increased interest, replacing formal shoes in many ethnic looks.
The Designer-Bollywood Collaboration
A key reason for Bollywood’s influence on fashion is the close collaboration between top designers and film productions. Designers like Manish Malhotra, Sabyasachi Mukherjee, and Anita Dongre work hand-in-hand with costume stylists to create memorable ethnic ensembles for films.
These outfits, when worn by leading actors, become instantly aspirational. The “Sabyasachi groom” look has become synonymous with elegance, largely thanks to its visibility in films and celebrity weddings.
Even emerging designers use Bollywood as a platform—dressing stars at award functions, promotional events, and film weddings to reach a wider audience.
Ethnicwear in Real Life:
The Bollywood Ripple Effect The most obvious effect of Bollywood’s influence is seen in the wedding industry. Grooms now want “cinematic” moments, and their wardrobes reflect this. No longer content with a simple kurta, many are opting for:
Custom sherwanis inspired by film characters.
Color-coordinated outfits with the bride (often seen in celebrity weddings).
Film-inspired sangeet and mehendi looks.
Even guests take cues from movies when dressing for weddings, choosing styles that align with what they’ve seen on-screen. This has led to more stylish, diverse, and well-thought-out menswear choices.
Bollywood’s Influence on Regional Styles
While Bollywood is centered in Mumbai, its reach extends across India, influencing regional fashion:
Punjabi Films + Bollywood Fusion: Combined influences have increased popularity for phulkari, bandhgalas with patiala pants, and embroidered jackets in North Indian weddings.
South Indian Cinema Meets Bollywood: Films like 2.0 and pan-India actors like Allu Arjun have brought dhoti-style pants and angavastrams into nationwide recognition.
Fusion Wear for the Modern Groom: Young men are now pairing traditional pieces like kurtas with sneakers or styling bandhgalas with jeans—mirroring what they see in music videos and rom-coms.
The Rise of Social Media and Film Fashion
The lines between reel and real fashion have further blurred thanks to Instagram, where film looks are immediately shared, tagged, and reinterpreted. Influencers and stylists often recreate iconic Bollywood outfits, making ethnic menswear more accessible and relatable.
Stylists now use film promotions as mini fashion campaigns, dressing actors in carefully curated ethnicwear that reflects both their character and personal brand. These looks go viral, encouraging young men to adopt ethnicwear in their own wardrobes, not just for weddings, but for Diwali, Eid, Raksha Bandhan, or formal dinners.
Conclusion: Lights, Camera, Influence Bollywood has done more than entertain—it has dressed generations of Indian men in their most memorable moments. It has made traditional clothing aspirational, dynamic, and ever-evolving. From the royal sherwanis of yesteryear to modern asymmetric bandhgalas, Indian cinema continues to influence how men perceive and wear ethnic fashion.
So the next time you’re shopping for a wedding or festival, don’t be surprised if your outfit is inspired by your favorite film scene. After all, in India, cinema and fashion don’t just coexist—they co-create.