Entertainment

LFM Goes Sustainable!

Lakme Fashion Week 2021 was all about hailing new beginnings after the upheavals of last year, with an eye towards sustainability. From a brilliant mix of the green horns and the established, the designers lit up the event with their creations that often swung between opulent and eclectic. The event, backed by Lakme India in partnership with the Fashion Development Council of India, was a “phygital” gathering of craft, innovation and workability. Designers participated from all around the country via spectacular visual art films and live walks. Juveria Tabassum picks eight of the best designers on show through the five days.

Collection: Bloni

Designer: Akshat Bansal

Label: Bloni

Hashtag USP: Local artisanal techniques on marine plastic waste textiles.

Delhi-based Bloni’s Akshat Bansal’s creations were the perfect celebration of the theme, for the event. The designs were showcased as part of the Emerging Talent Category. Fabrics sourced from marine waste and generated through technology were adorned with the age old tie-and-dye craft. Furthermore, the collection, termed Bloni, was gender neutral, which gave them an added edge. Crochet and knitting made an appearance and the designs left an impact with its tasteful use of neon green and shimmery silvers between blacks, whites and greys on eco-friendly, hybrid textiles. The film deployed futuristic elements and was striking in itself, with models standing knee-deep in waters.

Collection: #SNSafari

Designers: Shantanu and Nikhil

Label: S&N

Hashtag USP: Safari chic that can well become the new-age celebration wear.

The designer duo has become a vintage name in the industry with their new-age celebration wear which is transforming what we wear at festivities. Their Safari collection was driven by the idea of “celebration on the move,” paying a tribute to the ceaseless lives of today’s youth. The designs were a smooth mix of casual chic and traditional cuts, satisfying the fashion stipulations of the youth. The collection experimented with cuts and silhouettes in kurtis and jackets for women and shirts and sherwanis for men. Also on the roster were some classic tees and sneakers which lifted some rather conventional garments to a ubiquitous contemporary appeal. The designers said the idea behind the collection was “delineating the belief of celebrating oneself, the journey and the destination.”

Collection: Crafts in the Forefront

Designer: Rahul Dasgupta

Label: Label Rahul Dasgupta

Hashtag USP: Shibori on sherwanis could well become a staple

Presenting as part of the GenNext show by INIFD, young designer Rahul Dasgupta, who launched his label in August 2020, sparkled with his stylish collection for men at the Lakme Fashion Week. Sherwanis, kurtas and jackets infused in Shibori and occasionally splashed with bundi made for a cool collection which might well find a place in many a man’s wardrobe this festive season. Created with organza and cotton, the garments dabbled in blues and grays and delivered a final stunner in red. The mix of Shibori and selvedge of fabric was cut and dyed, then detangled and later stitched together to create a great masculine look. Another stunner was the cotton dori dyed in Shibori, for the jacket that was lined elegantly with Shibori and worn with a silk organza bagalbandi style kurta.

– Collection: Spring/Summer ‘21 – Ritu Kumar x TRESemme:

Designer: Ritu Kumar

Label: The Ritu Kumar Label

Hashtag USP: Soya fabric sarees that embrace the classic and the contemporary

Designer Ritu Kumar was supported by haircare brand TRESemme in this edition of the Lakme Fashion Week. Boho and minimalism went hand in hand with his collection as he blended floral prints and patchwork with a spread of yarn dyes, laces and geometric designs. The collection embraced both the classic and the contemporary feminine as it swung between suits and drapes and dresses. The soya fabric saris created a stir when they appeared in the most unconventional and unique styles with a colourful fantasy of colour and prints. Ritu Kumar kept the hemline at the midi level to allow the fluid silhouettes to swirl around the models. The scarf was the prime accessory in prints, plain or tasselled and appeared around the neck or the waist in a variety of styles. Participating via a film, the collection used natural fibres and incorporated a plethora of contemporary everyday styles donned by the modern woman.

– Collection: Look Book of Conscious Leather Free Creations by PETA India

Hashtag USP: Cruelty-free fashion that ticks all the boxes

Day 2 was Sustainable Fashion Day and the People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA) India presented a Look Book of conscious leather-free creations that were curated from numerous top brands. PETA ambassadors Milind Soman and Ankita Konwar donned the creations which ranged from office wear to date night looks. The couple looked gorgeous in the staggering film which was directed by Ravi Shanker and shot at Sofitel Mumbai BKC. Ankita’s red, halter, trapeze-style mini dress was especially striking. The suits, trousers, jackets, and a gamut of dresses were Vegan—all created without fur, leather, wool, exotic skins, cashmere, mohair or silk. Coconut leather was used as an alternative option to conventional leather, and Brands featured included Proyog, Daisy Days, Urvashi Kaur, Outhouse, Papa Don’t Preach by Shubhika, Countrymade and many more.

– Collection: Purn Vritt

Designers: Chandra Prakash Jha and Georg

Label: Cocccon

Hashtag USP: Peace organic silks that employ zero waste techniques and conscious Sericulture

German-based designers Chandra Prakash Jha and Georg came together in 2012 to form a luxury fashion label that utilises peace organic silk. The Purn Vritt collection, which marked their first outing on Indian shores, featured fabrics created with strict organic methods employing zero waste techniques. The designs on show were futuristic and made from biodegradable materials which deployed the principle of “Ahimsa” or peace silk where the silkworm is allowed to complete its life cycle. For the presentation, the collection resembled the indigenous performing art of Jharkhand, which spoke about conflict between circular (Jeevan Chakra) and linear (Jeevan Rekha) lifestyle. Voluminous sleeves and shoulders added a spectacular oomph to the cuts. The colours were vibrant and the drapes ranged from summer dresses, sarees to draped lungis, embellished with geometric block prints on bright hues. The collection blended in well with the theme of the event, Mismatched, and created quite an impact with its geometric patterns and summer block prints on these environmentally-conscious garments. The interesting silhouettes appeared comfortable. It says quite something about the times that we live in that “luxury peace silk” not only sounds inviting, but also looks pretty damn gorgeous.

Collection: Marie Claire in Collaboration with Gauri and Nainika : Fall 2021

Designers: Gauri and Nainika

Label: Bata India

Hashtag USP: Florals never looked more elegant

Bata India managed to make a mark at the Lakme Fashion Week with Marie Claire, a women-centric fashion footwear brand that falls under their umbrella. In collaboration with designer duo Gauri & Nainika. The designs play with floral prints inspired by greys, greens and blues—the shades of the earth. Frock dresses, gowns in chiffon set alight by trendy necklines gave a serene illusion to the collection. The leg-of-mutton, long-sleeved, ruffled, collared dress was captivating in its voluminous troughs and crests which were set off beautifully by the Marie Claire kitten heels. The designers stuck to organza and chiffon which maintained the refreshing, floaty, flowery feel of the film. A black, printed addition with a high neckline was a great contrast against the pretty pastels of the collection.

Collection: Art Nouveau

Designer: Varun Chakillam

Label: 6Degree

Hashtag USP: Reimagined traditional festive wear Part of an ensemble by online multi designer store 6Degree, Varun Chakillam managed to hold his own and stun with his reimagined use of classic festive-wear colours and styles. The “Art Nouveau” line for Spring/Summer 2021 aimed at the sensuous, mysterious woman. Sequins and intricate embroidery came splattered on maxi skirts, pre-stitched sarees and trendy kurtis. The colour card featured dainty pinks, greens, mustards and teal set off by hand embroidered garments of voluminous skirts, gowns and other drapes. The collection, stimulated by 18th century art brought finesse and elegance to traditional Indian festive wear. An embroidered kurti over draped lungi and the ruffled dupatta teamed with corset style choli and lehenga brought innovation and elegance to an age-old combination. Showstopper Pooja Hegde looked scintillating in a white embellished lehenga. Her stylishly cut choli set off the look brilliantly.

March 31, 2021

#fashion, #lakmefashionweek, #trendingnow

Kajol on Horror, Motherhood, and ‘Maa’: “This Role Will Stay with Me Forever”

In her upcoming horror-thriller Maa, Kajol steps into a space that’s as emotionally charged as it is spiritually rooted one that reimagines horror through the lens of motherhood, mythology, and inner strength. The film draws from the legend of Goddess Kali, blending it with a modern narrative that challenges both genre and tradition. It also stars Indraneil Sengupta, Kherin Sharma, and Ronit Roy in pivotal roles. In conversation with LIPOKAVARMA, Kajol opens up about the film that has deeply resonated with her both personally and professionally. A Story Rooted in Myth and Modernity “When we started, this wasn’t even meant to be a horror film,” Kajol begins, reminiscing about the origin of Maa. Maa draws inspiration from the mythological tale of Kali and Raktabeej stories Kajol remembers from her childhood and even used to scare her children with. The story was meant to be a tight thriller, but as the script evolved, so did its scope. “We realised we had to make it bigger, as the characters and the situations were so large in scale. A simple ending wouldn’t do justice to the emotion we had built. You can’t just have her shoot him in the head and walk away,” she explains. The spiritual and symbolic depth of the film demanded a more profound resolution something that echoed the power of Goddess Kali herself. The Title That Found Its Meaning What began as a working title became central to the film’s soul. “By the time we finished, we realised Maa said everything the film was about. It was not just about a mother, but the divine mother—Kali Maa—and the raw energy of maternal strength, both nurturing and destructive.” Kajol on the Evolution of Motherhood On and Off Screen In a reflective moment, Kajol discusses the enduring societal expectations around mothers.

Entertainment

Future Stars of Indian Cricket: Young Talents to Watch

Indian cricket has always been a powerhouse of extraordinary talent, consistently producing legends who have left an indelible mark on both national and international stages. The era of Sunil Gavaskar laid the foundation for batting excellence, while Kapil Dev’s leadership brought India its first World Cup glory. Then came Sachin Tendulkar, whose unmatched brilliance inspired generations, followed by the calm resilience of MS Dhoni, who redefined captaincy, and the fiery passion of Virat Kohli, who has set new benchmarks in modern cricket. Together, these icons have cemented India’s status as a cricketing giant. At the core of this success is a steady pipeline of young talent, nurtured through grassroots programs, domestic leagues like the IPL, and a deep love for the game across the nation. Today, anticipation surrounds the vibrant new generation of Indian cricketers. These young players, showing promise on domestic and international platforms, are poised to carry forward the legacy of excellence. Their fearless approach and adaptability to modern formats highlight their readiness to make an impact on cricket’s biggest stages. The growing interest extends to fans engaging with the sport in unique ways, such as exploring the top betting sites in India, where they follow the matches and support their favorite players by betting on them. This article will spotlight the top 10 emerging talents from India, exploring their journeys, achievements, and potential to shape the future of Indian cricket. Let’s take a closer look at the stars of tomorrow. Shubman Gill: Shubman Gill, hailed as the “prince of Indian cricket,” represents the future of India’s batting lineup. With a composed technique, Gill thrives as an opener, seamlessly transitioning between formats. By 2025, his ODI average exceeds 60, backed by seven centuries, including a stunning 208 against New Zealand. He was the Player of the Series during

Entertainment

Nimrat Kaur Talks About Her Latest Web Series “Kull”

Nimrat Kaur is back with a powerful role in Kull: The Legacy of the Raisinghs, a family drama that dives deep into generational wounds and societal facades. The actor, known for her intensity and grace, brings a haunting vulnerability to her character Indrani. In an exclusive chat with LIPIKA VARMA, Nimrat discusses the show’s themes, her artistic journey, and the emotional tribute she recently paid to her father. On the title, “Kull”- Yes, absolutely, kull is an interesting word, right? Kul-dosh, kul-ko-aage-badhane-wala. It symbolizes lineage, burdens, responsibilities. I really liked the title when Ekta chose it. I hoped it would stay. For me, Kull represents generational trauma and the weight we carry forward. On Indrani, her character-I feel incredibly grateful that people have embraced Indrani Rai Singh’s part and they have been able to relate to her circumstances, not necessarily her as a person, which I think was my intention in any case in the first place. Behind the sarees, the pearls, the carefully curated perfection, there’s a broken woman barely holding it together. By the end, she becomes so lost in her own delusions, she can’t even tell what’s real anymore. On doing justice to all the characters–Meryl Streep once said, you don’t become someone else entirely—you bring bits of yourself into every role. And that’s so true. I live on my own, I make my own decisions, I have a certain kind of independence in how I think and move through the world. That probably seeps into the women I play. Every character has a journey, a heartbeat—I always try to tap into that. Working with Ekta Kapoor- Ekta gave me my first web series, “The Test Case,” before OTT platforms even existed. That was a bold move. She gave me a platform when the space was still

Entertainment

Aamir Khan Exclusive Interview With Hashtag Magazine

I’m a Loyalist of Cinema: Aamir Khan Fresh off the release of Sitaare Zameen Par, Aamir Khan opens up about his enduring love for cinema, why he champions children’s stories, and how he balances personal evolution with creative instincts. In an exclusive interaction, he also speaks candidly about declaring his relationship with Gauri and the stability she brings into his life. In this heartfelt conversation, Aamir reflects on movies, meaning, and moments, with LIPIKA VARMA capturing it all. Excerpts- How do you feel when your film is on the verge of being released? Whenever my film is on the verge of being released, the feeling is like a father of a newborn child, though we cannot compare our feelings to a mother of a newborn child. But when my films are released, I feel the same nervousness and excitement as a father. The more excited you are, the more you contemplate whether your film is good, and then the nervousness grows if people will like it or not. I always get nervous whenever my films are on the release. Why are children’s films made in lesser numbers in Bollywood? Yes, it’s sad that the Hindi film industry is making very few children’s films. According to my thought process, the industry feels there is no market for children’s films. I disagree with this. We have so many children in this country, of course, they watch films! But sadly, many end up watching Western films dubbed in Hindi. We must take responsibility as filmmakers and create more meaningful stories for our children. Will you make more children’s films? I have decided to make children’s films even in the future. Kids are the future pillars of our country. They need to be sensitive, caring, and empathetic. Our films touch them in ways to