Manish Malhotra and his Muses: Karisma Kapoor, Raveena Tandon, Sridevi, Shilpa Shetty, Urmila Matondkar and Kareena Kapoor

 

Manish Malhotra and his Muses: Karisma Kapoor, Raveena Tandon, Sridevi, Shilpa Shetty, Urmila Matondkar and Kareena Kapoor

Manish Malhotra revolutionised Bollywood costume design by bridging high fashion and mainstream Indian cinema.

The First Star He Designed For

Manish Malhotra made his entry into film costume design in 1990 styling Juhi Chawla for the film Swarg. That same year, he began styling iconic photo shoots for Sridevi, leading to his full costume design work for her in Gumrah (1993). Sridevi became one of his most cherished muses and a pivotal figure in launching his career in Indian cinema. Sridevi in turn has repeatedly stated in innumerable interviews that apart from being a work colleague and collaborator, she famously named him as her "best friend" in the industry. A title he cherished I'm sure. We have innumerable pics of the two together in the archive. But lets not forget there have been other celebrity collaborations that have worked in his (and the star's) favour. 

Top Muses & Frequent Collaborators

Over three decades, Malhotra has styled generations of leading ladies. From Sridevi onwards, his most frequent collaborators and muses include:

• Urmila Matondkar: Transformed her screen image in Rangeela (1995), establishing the concept of modern movie styling in Hindi cinema. The colour palette of saris is so mesmerising in Tu maange dil in Aflatoon [an otherwise terrible movie], note how differently he styled Sridevi and Urmila in Judaai. 

• Karisma Kapoor: Reimagined her sartorial identity in Raja Hindustani (1996) and Dil To Pagal Hai (1997). 

• Kajol: Designed her defining looks across classics like Dilwale Dulhania Le Jayenge (1995), Kuch Kuch Hota Hai (1998), and Fanaa (2006).

• Kareena Kapoor Khan: One of his closest long-time muses, famously styled as "Poo" in Kabhi Khushi Kabhie Gham... (2001) and in Jab We Met (2007).

• Rani Mukerji & Preity Zinta: Created signature late-90s and 2000s looks for them in films like Kal Ho Naa Ho (2003) and Kabhi Alvida Naa Kehna (2006). Perhaps we should state that his collaborations with Karan Johar ipso facto Johar's leading ladies, get the Malhotra makeover. In many cases he refines the looks, tones it down - competing with the maximalism of over-shimmering Bollywood. 

• Rekha: Since the unfortunate, untimely passing of Sridevi, Rekha has stepped in and stepped up as the icon in the Manish Malhotra repertoire. Embracing pure Indian aesthetics, traditional jewellery, he's eliminated Rekha's perchance for excess on more than one occasion. His collab with her for Vogue Arabia is one for the ages. 

• Newer Generation Muses: Continues to frequently style and mentor stars like Alia Bhatt, Janhvi Kapoor, Kiara Advani, and Katrina Kaif on screen, on red carpets, and as fashion showstoppers.

Most Memorable Movies

Year	Film	Key Styling Highlights
1995	Rangeela	Earned him the first Filmfare Award for Costume Design; redefined contemporary Bollywood fashion.
1995	Dilwale Dulhania Le Jayenge	Iconic bridal and western ensembles for Kajol.
1997	Dil To Pagal Hai	Trendsetting athleisure and minimal monochrome ethnic wear.
1998	Kuch Kuch Hota Hai	Defined 90s pop-culture fashion with sportswear, bandanas, and sleek chiffons.
2001	Kabhi Khushi Kabhie Gham...	Opulent high-fashion wardrobe for Kareena Kapoor ("Poo") and traditional couture.
2003	Kal Ho Naa Ho	Elegant New York urban wear and the iconic "Maahi Ve" lehenga.
2013	Yeh Jawaani Hai Deewani	Popularized Deepika Padukone’s famous royal-blue saree look.

Collage of the Top 90s Actresses: Madhuri Dixit, Kajol, Sridevi, Aishwarya Rai, Juhi Chawla and Raveena Tandon

Collage of the Top 90s Actresses: Madhuri Dixit, Kajol, Sridevi, Aishwarya Rai, Juhi Chawla and Raveena Tandon 

Raveena Tandon's surprising quote about Sridevi's entry to Laadla

Raveena Tandon's surprising quote about Sridevi's entry to Laadla, and how it changed the film!

Well, this is interesting trivia; "Once Sridevi came into Laadla, things changed, everything changed. But I did not for once mention that my role was cut," Raveena Tandon (MOVIE magazine, 1995). Well, until she did in a nationally syndicated magazine and the quote went viral! 

Even though Sridevi didn't have the title role, what do we remember most about the flawed but fun film Laadla? Sridevi's performance. Sridevi famously absorbed attention and at a certain juncture in her career, no matter who was her co-star, she commanded the big-screen like no-other. 

Raveena Tandon was only 9 years younger than Sridevi, but Sridevi was 100+ films years older than the fiesty Ms Tandon. They were not of the same league to be frank. Raveena 2.0 was a fine actress, but definitely struggled to make her mark in the early years. As did every newcomer. 

For cinema trivia, this is interesting. But we certainly aren't comparing the two. 

Shout out to Bollywood Memories for digging this pull-quote out!  

 

Sridevi with Raveena Tandon, Lata Mangeshkar and Anil Kapoor

As the images featured Sridevi, Raveena Tandon and Anil Kapoor, there are blogs and Instagram posts stating the pics are from a Laadla film premiere/party/audio launch. None of it is true! In fact, this was an audio launch by HMV that had nothing to do with the film that was released months before! 

More in the archive here. At a time when Sridevi rarely attended events, she dazzled by making a surprise appearance for Lata Mangeshkar.  

Raveena Tandon, "Sridevi was a warm and lovely person - as an actor, larger than life."

 

Born on 26 October, we are honouring and celebrating actress Raveena Tandon's birthday today. She worked with Sridevi in just one memorable film, the 90s hit, Laadla. 

"As a child, I remember standing in front of the mirror and imitating Sridevijis dance steps from Mr.India, Lamhe and ChaalBaaz. I saw her in person for the first time while she was dancing on a rain song on the set of Nazrana (1987), a film directed by my father (Ravi Tandon). She looked so stunning, I was mesmerised by her.

Sridevi with film director Ravi Tandon (father of Raveena Tandon)

I got an opportunity to work with Sridevi in Laadla (1994). It was from there on that our friendship began. She was shy, soft-spoken and gentle. She hardly spoke. So people were surprised watching us get along like a house on fire. We spent time chatting in each other's vanity vans.

Raveena Tandon and Sridevi in Laadla

She was a warm and lovely person. Her child-like innocence was unbelievable. I realised people had misunderstood her. As an actor, she was larger than life. She owned every scene that she walked into. She was an ace dancer, sensuous and magnificent. In her personal life, she was a devoted mother to Janhvi and Khushi. We often invited each other for dinner.

She was a wonderful host. Once Boney (Kapoor) and she had come home for dinner along with Manish (Malhotra). A huge bee flew in from the garden and sat right on top of Srideviís head. I ran around her with a Chinese racket, trying to shoo it away. It was such a funny sight. All of us were rolling with laughter. I'm honoured that I could associate with her. 

It ís difficult to get over the tragic news and say goodbye."

Raveena Tandon with Sridevi and Boney Kapoor

Raveena Tandon with Sridevi and Boney Kapoor... 

Raveena is all of us - can't take eyes off Sridevi... 

Throwback to Dec 1994 - several stars attended a party thrown by HMV at The Leela, for the launch of HMV's Great Gharanas. 

More pics in the archive here. 

 

TBT: Sridevi, Raveena Tandon, Manisha Koirala: Diwali special for Cine Blitz magazine

TBT: Sridevi, Raveena Tandon, Manisha Koirala: Diwali special for Cine Blitz magazine! 

Early 90s shoot and spread by Gautam Rajadhyaksha with all the leading ladies of Bollywood. 

Today, Nov 4, 2021 many are celebrating Diwali in India. Happy days everyone... 

Sridevi shares the stage and screen with Raveena Tandon in Laadla (1994)

 

Sridevi with Raveena Tandon from a scene in Laadla (1994) 

Today - October 26 - is ravishing Raveena's birthday. Happy Birthday Ms Tandon! 

Raveena Tandon, "I respect Sridevi, I've been her biggest fan..."

Raveena Tandon and Sridevi are coming with their projects, Maatr and Mom roughly at the same time with film posters that are... incredulously similar.

Comparisons being drawn between both the films seem inevitable, both stars of the 90s, with titles that mean exactly the same, both making a return to the big screen after a hiatus... And of course, both starred together in the film Laadla (back in 1994!).

In an interview Raveena Tandon has said, "She [Sridevi] is a senior, I respect her a lot and I've always been the biggest fan of hers. I am proud that, whether it's Pink, Mom or Maatr, our industry is making these films today. I hope such films are made more. So, there is no comparison. I feel a message like this should be given at least six months a year to wake up people."

For more, check out TOI 

#TBT Sridevi at Manish Malhotra's Birthday: 90s ladies celebrate with the celebrity designer: Shilpa Shetty, Raveena Tondon, Karisma Kapoor, Urmila and queen Sridevi

Somehow we forgot to post this but on December 5, the perpetually young looking Manish Malhotra turned 50 and invited his leading ladies to his glamorous apartment complex in Mumbai for a private dinner. The A-list actresses of Bollywood turned up to support their favourite man in fashion - Manish isn't known as 'the' celebrity designer for no reason. Among the ones we saw posing for the perennial selfie; Sridevi, Karishma and Kareena Kapoor, Shilpa Shetty, Raveena Tandon and Urmila.

Sridevi, who also looks decades younger than she is, turned up in fine form to support the man she's often called "her favourite".  The duo looked supercute while they lined up for the press.

Above: Sridevi, Kareena Kapoor, Alia Bhatt

Famous Fans of Sridevi beg her to make a comeback!

Even as far back as the early 2000s, there were mumblings and rumblings about Sridevi's come-back. It took 14 years before it finally happened. 

Eleven years ago, some famous fans spoke of the magic of Sridevi  including Anupam Kher, Amrish Puri (RIP), Raveena Tandon and Archana Puran Singh. Answering the question, 

Should Sridevi make a comeback?

Raveena Tandon: "It would be great if Sridevi made a comeback. I don't know if there is a vacuum created by her going away, but one thing is for sure - nobody has been able to take her place. But if at all she does make a comeback, I could say that she should not do 16 year-old roles. She has proved herself and now is the time she can opt for author backed roles."

Archana Puran Singh: "Sri should definitely come back. Marriage should never be a deterrent. She's looking her best these days and I think post marriage and motherhood, her acting will have another dimension. When the Number One leaves, there is a void, and this void is felt not by the aspiring Number Twos, but by her fans!"

Anupam Kher: "One hundred per cent, she should come back! I think the industry still misses her and she would be welcomed back with a lot of warmth. She hasn't personally told me she was quitting, so I presume that after marriage and the baby, she will resume working. I am sure she will make a comeback some day."

Amrish Puri: "Sridevi should definitely come back to films. She is talented, and will continue to make a contribution to cinema. There has been a void since she left. Of course, now she will have a look of maturity... Whatever the capacity though, she should come back!"