Bollywood’s young star Alia Bhatt put up a confident front while walking a three-ramp set-up in a lehenga (skirt) weighing over 20kg, for designer Manish Malhotra’s show at the India Couture Week in New Delhi. She said she was nervous as she’s usually clumsy.
“I get very nervous. I am not the best walker. I am a very clumsy human being, I fall [while] standing, so walking on the ramp wearing [an outfit of] almost 25kg and high heels, looking good, posing and smiling while people are clapping...I think it’s nerve wrecking, but I think it’s the best two minutes,” Bhatt told reporters after the show.
With minimalist make-up, a roughly done-up hairdo and no jewellery, Bhatt carried the red bridal wear couture outfit, adorned by vintage gold embroidery, with aplomb on Saturday night.
In the actress’ latest Hindi film Humpty Sharma Ki Dulhania, her character is adamant on getting a lehenga worn by Kareena Kapoor in a film. In real life, she was happy to walk for Malhotra, who is one of Bollywood’s favourite designers and has been responsible in giving a makeover to many of Hindi cinema’s heroines.
“I think when you’re walking in a Manish Malhotra outfit, it’s a big day. It’s a special day. I was telling someone that I am very happy that my film has done well, but I’m happier to be walking for Manish. It’s a great achievement,” Bhatt said.
From audience to showstopper
She recalled a time when she was in the audience for a Manish Malhotra show. “I was here two years back and Katrina [Kaif] was walking the ramp. I was sitting in the audience with Karan [Johar] and was thinking, ‘How do people walk?’
“I remember Katrina was sitting and her outfit looked heavy. I had no idea then how heavy it was but when you walk yourself, you realise how heavy it is. But it’s beautiful, I loved it,” she added.
Adding more Bollywood flavour on the ramp was Aashiqui 2 actor Aditya Roy Kapur, while off the stage and in the audience were names such as Urmila Matondkar and Huma Qureshi.
Flaunting a heavily embroidered gold sherwani (knee-length coat), Kapur said walking for Bollywood’s favourite designer Manish Malhotra almost feels like “you’ve arrived”.
“I am not much of a stalwart...but it’s been an honour to walk for him [Malhotra]. It makes you feel you’ve arrived somewhere,” he told reporters after the show.
Malhotra, who has a huge friends circle in the industry and tops their list of favourite designers, responded by saying: “You’re too sweet.”
The actor is busy promoting his forthcoming film Daawat-e-Ishq and Malhotra gave his project footage while talking to the media. “Aditya has Daawat-e-Ishq coming up and he is looking fabulous in it,” said the designer, while also praising the actor’s kurta (tunic) style, seen in the movie’s title song.
Since the ensemble that Roy Kapur wore was meant for a groom, the Aashiqui 2 star could not evade questions about when he’s going to tie the knot. Is wedding on the cards? “In life, yes, but not right now,” he said.
