[Photo Credit: [L] Hamel Patel, [R] Pinterest]
Before we jump into talking about Bollywood-inspired costumes, let’s address how Halloween will be different this year. As the spooky season fast approaches, we may find ourselves apprehensive of the big day itself. 2020’s Halloween will certainly look different from past years, with tightening lockdown measures and social-distance regulations varying from country to country. It will join a host of other cultural and religious holidays that have been forced to move into the virtual world this year. However, the spirit of Halloween — in all its candy-coated, sparkly, costumed glory — can be celebrated online with your fellow digital demons and virtual vampires.
[Read More: Here are Our Top 5 Halloween Costumes Inspired by Strong Desi Women]
Organizing a virtual party with friends and family can feel exasperatingly difficult, but choosing a costume feels even harder. We’ve all felt the “night-before” panic, where costumes are unfinished, hot-glued, and ultimately unoriginal. Halloween night turns into a pseudo-Met Gala, where our sartorial choices are captured forever (and plastered over social media). If — in writer Mason Cooley’s words — “clothes make a statement; costumes tell a story,” this Halloween is a chance to do both, whilst paying homage to classic Bollywood and modern film icons.
Now, who said Halloween can’t be desi? It’s also important to recognize that cultural appreciation is different from appropriation, and desi-style costumes can and should be done with an educated sensitivity.
With that in mind, below is a list of my favorite (and beloved) film characters with an easily imitable style, to recreate as Bollywood-inspired costumes for your Halloween celebrations. Draw inspiration from these iconic looks, that can be easily stylized for couples, groups, guys, and girls alike. This is your October reminder to watch your favorite rom-com, practice your childhood dance routines, and dress up like your ’90s filmy faves.
1. Sunehri: Aishwarya Rai Bachchan in “Dhoom 2”
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I still remember watching “Crazy Kiya Re” for the first time, completely obsessed with Aishwarya’s sleek ponytail and a leather bustier. This is the coolest costume to replicate — with smoky eye-makeup and your fiercest pair of combat boots. Creative director Hamel Patel recreated the all-black look for her Halloween visual series this year with these incredible shots.
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2. Trio Costumes: “Zindagi Na Milegi Dobara” and “3 Idiots”
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Nothing commemorates a friendship more than a coordinated costume. Grab your dost and take inspiration from these classic films about adventure and friendship. For a casual vibe, copy Arjun, Imran, and Kabir (Hritik Roshan, Farhan Akhtar, and Abhay Deol respectively), as they dance in Spanish bars. Alternatively, you can emulate a classic “3 Idiots” scene, where Rancho, Farhan, and Raju (Aamir Khan, R. Madhavan, and Sharman Joshi respectively) crash a wedding with matching pink turbans. Your trio of friends can now turn into some pretty sought-after film characters with these Bollywood-inspired costumes of three friends!
3. Anjali and Rahul: Kajol and Shah Rukh Khan in “Kuch Kuch Hota Hai”
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It’s my firm belief that “Kuch Kuch Hota Hai” has defined millennial fashion, as well as providing a bank of inspiration for Gen Z alike. Think Tina as our desi Paris Hilton. The double denim, headbands, mom jeans, and the ‘I’m not like the other girls’ vibe’ make Kajol’s Anjali, a costume that’s both trendy and comfortable. KKHH sets the bar for funky athleisure, as well as reminding us that those headbands that our moms used to make us wear (you know, the stretchy big ones) can look cute, paired with clothes of a primary color scheme. And, who can forget Rahul’s “I’m cooool” avatar? This one makes for the perfect couple’s costume! Check out Bollywood TV Host, entrepreneur, and influencer Shivani Bafna, recreate the look:
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4. Jagga: Ranbir Kapoor in “Jagga Jasoos”
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This green sweater vest look is currently so in vogue — see every fashion influencer donning it over a white dress shirt. The teenage detective’s closet is full of ties, wool sweaters, and classic round glasses, making it an easy costume to recreate this autumn. The little hair slick can be achieved too, with hair gel and spray.
[Read More: 5 Fun Bollywood-Inspired Halloween Costumes (And How to Make Them!)]
5. Nisha: Madhuri Dixit in “Hum Aapke Hain Koun”
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Dixit served serious style throughout this iconic film, but an enduring favorite (aside from the purple sari) is the full sleeve red lace dress in the music video “Yeh Mausam Ka Jaadu Hai Mitwa.” The gold jewelry, chunky brown belt, and tousled curls make this a perfect outfit to recreate. Although we won’t be running through the scenic fields of Coonoor, this outfit is a romantic reminder of the ’90s classics.
6. Krissh: Hrithik Roshan in “Krrish 3”
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Hrithik Roshan’s black mask in “Krrish 3” is not only a perfect Halloween look but one that can be easily recreated with some black construction paper OR black eyeliner; Krissh also has to be one of the best Bollywood-inspired costumes when it comes to superheroes in the industry. And, the advantage of a virtual party is that you can don the black leather on top, and pajamas at the bottom. It’s the best of both worlds.
7. Simran: Kajol in “Dilwale Dulhania Le Jayenge”
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As DDLJ celebrates its 25th anniversary, you can pay homage to all of Simran’s travel looks, from the red mini dress in the snow, to the brown dress-and-glasses look.
8. Dr. Vaseegaran / Chitti: Rajnikanth in “Enthiran” (“Robot”)
There is an inspiration to be drawn from more than just Bollywood Hindi films! This blockbuster features Rajnikanth in leather, silver-striped hair, and Aishwarya Rai Bachchan’s metallic look – the opportunities to recreate are endless.
9. Anyone from “Baahubali”
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This 2015 Tamil and Telegu hit (and its 2017 sequel) features amazing cinematic scenes, a powerful soundtrack, and some incredible fashion moments. If you want to dress up like a powerful, arrows-toting heroine, look at Anushka Shetty’s Devasena. Similarly, Kattapa’s mesh top and beard combo are easily recognizable.
Have (socially-distanced) fun this Halloween, enjoy your Bollywood-inspired costumes, and stay safe!
