Why Does Bollywood Have No Original Ideas When It Comes To Stage Costumes? It’s All Tacky And Uninspiring Right Now
As someone who grew up in a community big on performance arts, I have a strong affinity for stage costumes. From complicated drapes to hand-stitched Hawaain skirts, I have done it all…all before I even turned 10. The old school, middle-class way of doing stage costumes is to stick to the theme, source great fabrics and spend some time and effort on putting it together. But the most important element is to keep it original. Which is more than I can say for some of the ensembles that our A-listers have worn over the years during live shows.
As a 90s kid, watching the annual award shows from Bollywood was a major highlight. Our naive selves even believed that the performance was actually live, and the audience reactions genuine. But even the realisation of the actual truth has not soured our memories of Karisma Kapoor or Madhuri Dixit Nene setting the stage on fire with their fabulous original costumes on stage. This, unfortunately, seems to be lost over the years, with our talented ladies dressed in uninspiring looks instead. Most look like they belong with Jennifer Lopez of Ariana Grande on a concert tour, and it is getting boring to watch.
ALSO READ: Jennifer Lopez Changed 4 Outfits In One Day And The Prices Of Her Outfits Will Make Your Jaw Drop
Most of the style we see these days are heavily sequinned and fringed bodysuits or separates, that make sure it looks flashy, even if the performance itself isn’t.
https://www.instagram.com/p/B33tXZDI85o/
Just yesterday, Disha Patani turned up in a golden Beyonce-esque number, which wasn’t the only thing they ripped off from the pop icon. Disha’s ISL 2019 opening ceremony performance was too close for comfort to Beyonce’s Coachella 2018 and Super Bowl 2016 half time show. I mean, did they really think people won’t notice them ripping off Bey’s iconic performances? ISL is a very cool league trying to bring football to the Indian stage and support the sport. We think, a half-baked performance only diminishes its value, not build it.
Other familiar styles we have seen a lot are rock’ n roll stage wear someone like Lady Gaga or Pink would wear, on Sara Ali Khan…
https://www.instagram.com/p/B3zJPiYJ1mC/
…and of course, Ariana Grande’s signature camo and knee-high boots look:
https://www.instagram.com/p/BzVB4c-n50x/
We honestly cannot see another Ariana-like high pony on Katrina Kaif, a look she has been sporting a lot lately. In a culture that is drenched in traditional dance costumes, surely we can find something better to put our girls in? It will be such a treat to see our natural showmanship translated into fabulous costumes on stage. We can just imagine all the OOT looks our talented designers and stylists can pull off, without having the pressure to make them look “trendy”, because some international star wore it first.
