As the “champagne” carpet was rolled out, the 2023 Oscars saw the latest trends in fashion as showcased by A-list stars and celebrities.
India had a successful run at the awards, with SS Rajamouli’s movie, RRR, winning Best Original Song for 'Naatu Naatu,' and The Elephant Whisperers taking home the award for Best Documentary Short Film.
Actress Deepika Padukone was a presenter at the event. She wore two of her ambassador brands, Louis Vuitton and Cartier. The actress wore a black off-shoulder velvet gown that featured a mermaid silhouette and matched it with velvet gloves. She accessorised the outfit with exquisite diamond jewelry, including a statement necklace from Cartier, with a pear-shaped yellow diamond in the centre.
Indian actress and producer Deepika Padukone attends the 95th Annual Academy Awards at the Dolby Theatre in Hollywood, California on March 12, 2023. (Photo by ANGELA WEISS / AFP) (Photo by ANGELA WEISS/AFP via Getty Images)
To complete her look, Deepika opted for a centre-parted messy bun, winged eyeliner, a nude pink lip shade, kohl-lined eyes, subtle nude eye shadow, feathered brows, rouged cheeks, and a dewy base.
At the Vanity Fair after-party, she opted for a pink mini dress with short sleeves and a V-neckline that highlighted her décolletage. She paired the dress with black stockings and kept the black gloves from her Oscars outfit.
One standout feature of her after-party look was the black broad belt that she wore with the dress, creating a sophisticated silhouette.
The dress was designed by New York-based Naeem Khan, who was also tagged in Deepika's Instagram post.
To complete her ensemble, she wore pointed black stilettos and accessorised with diamond earrings from Cartier. She opted for a messy bun, blue eyeliner, well-groomed eyebrows, contoured cheeks, and nude lips.
Sharing the pictures on her social media handle she captioned them, "And then the after."
For the Academy Awards, RRR actor Ram Charan was dressed in a bespoke three-piece ensemble by Shantanu & Nikhil, styled by Nikita Jaisinghani. The outfit included an asymmetrical kurta, straight-fitted pants, and a bandhgala jacket adorned with golden buttons.
Ram Charan & his wife Upasana - Image Credit: Instagram
The actor completed the look with a golden brooch, a trimmed beard, and a sleeked-back hairdo. His attire paid homage to his Indian roots and freedom fighters with a black bandhgala jacket featuring a badge of buttons.
His RRR co-star, Jr NTR, opted for a Gaurav Gupta outfit styled by Ashwin Mawle and Hassan Khan. The bandhgala kurta featured a gold-embellished tiger motif on one shoulder and an angrakha-style neckline.
Jr NTR - Image Credit: Instagram
The actor paired it with matching pants and a rugged beard, completing the look with a pulled-back hairdo. Jr NTR’s bandhgala kurta featured a striking gold embellished tiger motif, paying homage to India's national animal.
Upasana Kamineni Konidela, Ram Charan’s wife, also attended the event to support Team RRR's nomination. She was clad in a stunning sustainable ivory silk saree, specially crafted by Hyderabad-based designer Jayanti Reddy, using handwoven silk spun from recycled scraps. To complete the look, she carried a handmade potli made from scraps that complemented her silk saree, and wore an intricately crafted Lilium neckpiece that apparently had been in the making for the past four years.
The exquisite Lilium piece was part of a collection of life-size flowers designed by avant-garde Mumbai-based jewellery designer Bina Goenka, and was skillfully made using the highest quality natural gemstones, including pearls and approximately 400 carats of high-quality gems.
SS Rajamouli, the director of RRR, donned his signature look of a kurta and dhoti at the Oscars, standing out from the crowd of formal suits and tuxedos.
For the prestigious event, Kaala Bhairava and Rahul Sipligunj, the Naatu Naatu singers, were dressed in traditional kurta-pyjama sets. They captivated the audience with a live performance of their song.
Kartiki Gonzalves and Guneet Monga, from The Elephant Whisperers, also added an ethnic touch of glamour at the ceremony. Kartiki chose to wear a vibrant gown with a sheer overlay by Rahul Mishra, while Guneet opted for a traditional Benarasi saree.
Kartiki Gonzalves and Guneet Monga, from The Elephant Whisperers - Image Credit: Instagram
Comedian Lilly Singh turned heads with her pink trouser suit, featuring a trench coat layered on top of a silky pink top and flared bottoms at the Oscars.
Canadian YouTuber Lilly Singh attends the 95th Annual Academy Awards at the Dolby Theatre in Hollywood, California on March 12, 2023. (Photo by VALERIE MACON / AFP) (Photo by VALERIE MACON/AFP via Getty Images)
British Asian star Riz Ahmed sported Prada's latest oversized collar shirt, fresh off the 2023 catwalk and Malala Yousafzai arrived in style, donning a silver floor-length gown by Ralph Lauren that featured a head covering and a neatly ruched side waist.
Malala Yousafzai and her husband Asser Malik - Image Credit: Instagram
British actor Riz Ahmed attends the 95th Annual Academy Awards at the Dolby Theatre in Hollywood, California on March 12, 2023. (Photo by ANGELA WEISS / AFP) (Photo by ANGELA WEISS/AFP via Getty Images)
Mindy Kaling chose a stunning laser-cut white dress by Vera Wang, featuring detached sleeves.
US actress Mindy Kaling attends the 95th Annual Academy Awards at the Dolby Theatre in Hollywood, California on March 12, 2023. (Photo by ANGELA WEISS / AFP) (Photo by ANGELA WEISS/AFP via Getty Images)
And David Byrne, along with Mala Gaonkar, stood out from the tuxedo-clad crowd with a tailored Nehru collar suit.
Scottish-US singer David Byrne (L) and US businesswoman Mala Gaonkar (R) attend the 95th Annual Academy Awards at the Dolby Theatre in Hollywood, California on March 12, 2023. (Photo by VALERIE MACON / AFP) (Photo by VALERIE MACON/AFP via Getty Images)
Bridgerton actress Simone Ashley looked lovely with her bold and striking sequinned dress, which featured shimmering fabric, two decorative bows, and a daring thigh-high slit. Her stunning aquamarine gown was designed by Harris Reed for Nina Ricci, from the fashion label's Fall/Winter 2023 collection. The British-American designer was appointed as the brand's creative director in 2022 and is renowned for his subversive and gender-fluid styling.
British actress Simone Ashley attends the Vanity Fair 95th Oscars Party at the The Wallis Annenberg Center for the Performing Arts in Beverly Hills, California on March 12, 2023. (Photo by Michael TRAN / AFP) (Photo by MICHAEL TRAN/AFP via Getty Images)
Prior to the awards, Priyanka Chopra Jonas looked stunning at the South Asian Excellence Awards for the Oscars , donning an all-white lehenga designed by Falguni Shane Peacock. The outfit consisted of a two-piece set featuring a sheer corset, an embellished and body-hugging maxi-skirt, and an Ostrich feather coat.
According to the site high heel confidential, Mindy also graced the South Asian Excellence event on Thursday (09) evening, dressed in a sari designed by Falguni and Shane Peacock.
Jacqueline Fernandez in a purple saree along with Priyanka Chopra, Nick Jonas and other celebs - Image Credit: Instagram
Meanwhile, Jacqueline Fernandez attended the pre-Oscars get-together, representing the cast and crew of Tell It Like A Woman in a glamorous purple saree followed by a midnight blue trouser suit.
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.