From the silent era of the '20s and the elegance of the '40s to the sex symbols of the '70s — Bollywood divas like Preity Zinta, Rani Mukherjee and Sushmita Sen brought the film industry's glorious past alive on the ramp at Salman Khan's Being Human show at HDIL-India Couture Week in Mumbai, which had electrifying energy and an enthusiastic audience.
Before the actresses sashayed down the ramp on Saturday night, a short audio-visual was screened on the particular period — like the 1930s which was defined by tap dance and the 1940s by qawwalis (Sufi songs).
The first to hit the runway was Priety Zinta, dressed in a red knee-length dress, representing the 1920s.
She was followed by Katrina Kaif in a long red gown, to depict the '30s, the decade best known for Fearless Nadia stunts in films like Hunterwali.
Rani Mukherjee then walked the ramp in a black velvet choli and white lehenga, bringing alive the elegance of the 1940s.
To recreate the flirtatious '50s, Bipasha Basu walked the ramp in a black outfit, looking her sexiest best.
The swinging '60s, which was dominated by the rock ‘n' roll of Shammi Kapoor, was brought alive by Karisma Kapoor. Draped in a red sari, the actress, who has taken a break from films, oozed glamour and poise of the screen beauties of that period.
Flamboyance
But the most thunderous applause was reserved for Sushmita Sen, who portrayed the flamboyance and freedom of women in the 1970s when she came dressed in multi-coloured kaftan top and a golden mini-skirt.
Sen was followed by Priyanka Chopra, dressed in a white baby-doll dress, representing the glam girls of the ‘80s.
To represent the women of the 1990s, Kareena Kapoor, in a smart and sexy black power suit, walked the ramp.
And, no points for guessing who stole the show: Definitely Salman Khan, who walked the ramp wearing red trousers and a black coat.
Most of the dresses were designed by Manish Malhotra and Arjun Khanna, among others.
Khan should be credited for putting an awesome show that boasted great drama. But where was the couture in it?
