NATIONAL Award-winning actor Vicky Kaushal was reminded of his wedding to Bollywood star Katrina Kaif as he walked the ramp for designers Falguni Shane Peacock at the grand finale of the Hyundai FDCI India Couture Week 2024.
The designer duo showcased their latest collection, Rang Mahal, on the final day of the fashion gala, where Vicky turned showstopper alongside his co-star Rashmika Mandanna from the upcoming period drama Chhava. The actor, is currently basking in the success of Bad Newz.
Vicky, who tied the knot with Katrina in December 2021, said the "outstanding" detailing in the garments of the clothing line made him want to ring up his wife before he stepped onto the stage.
"I was watching the show backstage live on the Instagram page of Falguni Shane Peacock because I wanted to see what the energy was. I was genuinely blown away by the work you guys have created. The detailing, royalty, and grandeur was amazing. To be very honest, I really felt like calling Katrina and telling her. So many of the outfits reminded me of my wedding because of the things she wanted particularly. I was like 'This! I spotted that and that!' Katrina is currently on a flight, I'll tell her eventually. Thank you for making me a small part of this beautiful show," Vicky said at the post-show press conference here.
For their nuptials, Katrina was dressed in a red lehenga and Vicky had donned an ivory sherwani, both designed by celebrity favourite fashion designer Sabyasachi Mukherjee.
At the grand finale by Falguni Peacock and Shane Peacock, Vicky looked dapper in a beige-coloured buttoned-up Benaras brocade sherwani with straight pants, and Rashmika was grace personified in an ivory lehenga-choli with pearl embellishments, intricate embroidery and glittering sequins with a long train.
Rashmika thanked the designers for creating "masterpieces" one after the other.
"I felt like an Indian princess wearing a (garment by) Falguni Shane Peacock. I feel beautiful, gorgeous, confident and super comfortable in it. I think that's what fashion's about," she added.
The show was also attended by celebrity stylist Anaita Shroff Adajania, who blew kisses to Vicky and Rashmika when they spotted her cheering for the showstoppers as they posed for the shutterbugs.
It was a special night for the designer couple, who marked the 20th year of their fashion label by showcasing Rang Mahal at the grand finale.
Shane, one half of the brand, thanked the guests and media for turning up for the closing despite torrential rains that lashed the capital on Wednesday (31).
"Thank you guys for coming in spite of the rain and giving us so much love. I met so many people after this show and they loved it. Our beautiful Rashmika and Vicky, we had thought they would be good for the show. Thank you to all the models, they look stunning," he added.
Asked about selecting Vicky and Rashmika to walk the ramp, Shane told PTI: "Rashmika looked so beautiful, demure and pretty. Vicky is like a powerhouse. When he walks in, it just changes the energy. We could not have asked for two better showstoppers."
"Rashmika's outfit is a golden ivory pearl. Vicky is wearing a brocade sherwani which has a lot of detail in it. It is especially created in Benaras, it's hand woven. Both of them were spectacular on the ramp and they really killed it," added Falguni, who was "thrilled" to mark Falguni Shane Peacock's 20th anniversary with the event.
A troupe of contemporary dancers kickstarted the finale with a live sitar rendition of Elvis Presley's Can't Help Falling in Love and later blended the modern dance with the 'todas' of Kathak.
The energy of the show was maintained throughout by the musical ensemble The Bombay Choir, who belted out a range of tracks from the thrilling Game of Thrones theme, AR Rahman's patriotic numbers Maa Tujhe Salaam and Ye Jo Des Hai Tera, love ballads Tere Hawaale from Laal Singh Chaddha and Zara Si Dil Mein De Jagah Tu from Jannat to Amir Khusro's popular ghazal Chaap Tilak.
Falguni Shane Peacock's Rang Mahal is a haute couture collection inspired by the regal and dreamy aspects of India's royal heritage. It drew heavily from several traditional Indian symbols, including the Taj Mahal, tigers, cows, parrots, peacocks, swans, horses, elephants, palaces, diyas, sitar, banyan tree, peepal leaf, roses, and conches.
This was also the first time the designers have worked with Indian weaves and textiles, highlighting the unparalleled skill and craftsmanship of indigenous weavers.
There were sarees, evening gowns, and lehenga sarees for women, whereas men were dressed in sherwanis. Luxurious Kanjeevaram silks woven with real gold and silver zari threads, rich velvets, and intricate Chikankari embroideries featured prominently in the apparel. The colour palette ranged from white, ivory, beige, blue, green, red to black.
The Hyundai FDCI India Couture Week 2024 commenced on July 24. (PTI)
Rahul’s casual dismissal of that controversy has added fuel to the fire
Rahul Bhatt sparks controversy over 'insensitive' remarks about sisters Alia and Pooja Bhatt
Rahul Bhatt, fitness trainer and son of veteran filmmaker Mahesh Bhatt, has found himself at the centre of a social media storm following controversial remarks about his half-sister, Alia Bhatt. In a recent interview, Rahul drew comparisons between Alia and their older sister Pooja Bhatt, calling the latter more talented, attractive, and principled.
The comments, which many have labelled inappropriate and insensitive, have sparked widespread criticism online. During the interview, Rahul stated, “In my opinion, she (Alia) is not even half of what my real sister Pooja is. Not in talent, not in looks, not in terms of being sexy. In front of my sister, she is ‘paani kam chai’ (watery tea). Amongst the siblings, the most talented and the most moralistic is Pooja.”
Social media users reacted strongly, questioning why Rahul would compare his sisters in such personal terms. Several users were particularly disturbed by his reference to their appearance and sex appeal, pointing out that such comparisons within a family cross boundaries of propriety. One comment read, “This is disturbing. Why talk about your sisters like that? It’s not just weird, it’s wrong.” Another post said, “There’s nothing respectful about comparing your siblings’ attractiveness in public.”
The backlash also reignited conversation around a decades-old controversy involving Mahesh Bhatt and Pooja Bhatt. Rahul was asked about the infamous 1990s magazine cover where the father-daughter duo shared a kiss, which had stirred public outrage at the time. Dismissing the criticism, Rahul said, “It doesn’t make any difference. It’s like water off a duck’s back. We know the truth, and we’ve seen everything since childhood.”
Rahul’s casual dismissal of that controversy has added fuel to the fire, with critics saying it reflects a broader issue of the Bhatt family being insensitive to public perception and boundaries. Many users questioned the need for bringing up old incidents in a bid to defend new and equally questionable statements.
As of now, neither Alia Bhatt nor Pooja Bhatt has issued any public response to Rahul’s remarks. Both actors, known for their significant contributions to Indian cinema, have typically kept family matters private despite living in the public eye.
This episode has also sparked debate over the role of public figures in maintaining respect when discussing family matters in the media. Observers say such comments, especially when involving women’s appearance and personal qualities, reinforce problematic attitudes and fuel unnecessary controversies.
While Rahul Bhatt is not as prominent in the entertainment industry as his father or sisters, his comments have made headlines and placed the Bhatt family in the spotlight for reasons beyond their creative work. For many, this serves as a reminder that public platforms come with responsibility, and that family ties should not be trivialised or dissected for attention or comparison.
The backlash is unlikely to subside soon, especially as fans and followers of Alia and Pooja continue to express disappointment over the way the situation has unfolded. Whether or not Rahul chooses to clarify or apologise remains to be seen.