Mumbai: Janmashtami is not only a time for prayers, celebrations and festive gatherings but also a perfect occasion to embrace traditional fashion with a contemporary twist. As devotees and families come together to mark the festival, ethnic wear takes centre stage, offering plenty of opportunities to experiment with colours, silhouettes, jewellery and styling.
From vibrant sarees to intricately embellished lehengas, Bollywood actresses have repeatedly shown how traditional Indian outfits can be styled in distinctive ways. Their festive wardrobes offer inspiration for those looking to create an ethnic look that feels elegant while still making a statement.
This Janmashtami, fashion enthusiasts can take cues from the looks of Raashii Khanna, Mrunal Thakur, Alia Bhatt, Janhvi Kapoor and Kriti Sanon. Each actress brings a different aesthetic to ethnic fashion, ranging from bright and colourful ensembles to sophisticated embellished silhouettes.
Raashii Khanna’s vibrant pink lehenga
Raashii Khanna brings a striking pop of colour to ethnic fashion with a bright pink lehenga featuring intricate embroidery and detailed beaded work. The vibrant shade makes the ensemble particularly suited to the celebratory mood of Janmashtami.
The actress pairs the lehenga with a dramatic blouse that adds an element of glamour to the traditional silhouette. Rather than keeping the look entirely minimal, she builds on its festive appeal with oxidised jewellery.
Her accessories add contrast to the colourful outfit while giving the overall appearance a more contemporary edge. Raashii keeps her hair in loose waves, allowing the hairstyle to complement the elaborate ensemble without overpowering it.
For those looking for a lively and youthful festive appearance, the combination of a colourful lehenga, statement blouse and traditional jewellery offers plenty of inspiration.
Mrunal Thakur opts for sophisticated saree styling
Mrunal Thakur takes a more understated approach to festive dressing with a muted-toned, heavily embellished saree. The saree features an umbrella-style flair and is paired with an intricately worked blouse.
The subdued colour palette allows the embellishments to remain the focus of the outfit. Instead of introducing several competing elements, Mrunal completes the look with a heavy jewellery set and traditional kadas.
Her hairstyle remains understated, allowing the detailed saree and jewellery to take centre stage. The styling demonstrates how a relatively muted colour can still create a glamorous festive appearance when paired with elaborate embroidery and carefully chosen accessories.
The look can serve as inspiration for those who prefer classic sarees over brightly coloured lehengas but still want their Janmashtami outfit to feel celebratory and dressy.
Alia Bhatt makes yellow saree a statement
Alia Bhatt demonstrates how a bright saree can become the centrepiece of an entire festive look. She wears a vivid yellow saree featuring floral prints, creating a cheerful and eye-catching appearance.
The actress pairs the saree with a beaded choker set that adds a traditional touch while complementing the colour and floral detailing of the outfit.
However, it is the hairstyle that gives the look an especially distinctive character. The exaggerated hairstyle adds drama to the overall appearance and proves that festive fashion does not always have to rely solely on the outfit itself.
For Janmashtami celebrations, a yellow saree inspired by Alia’s styling can work particularly well for those who want a bright, traditional look without opting for heavy embroidery or elaborate lehenga sets.
Janhvi Kapoor brings pearls to the lehenga
Janhvi Kapoor chooses a pink lehenga decorated extensively with pearl embroidery, turning the outfit into a statement ethnic ensemble. The all-over pearl detailing gives the lehenga a delicate yet glamorous appearance.
She enhances the look with pearl drop earrings and a statement ring, keeping the accessories coordinated with the detailing of the outfit.
The styling demonstrates how one prominent embellishment can be carried through an entire ensemble to create a cohesive appearance. Instead of mixing multiple types of jewellery, the pearl accents remain the defining feature.
Those looking for a sophisticated lehenga for a Janmashtami gathering can take inspiration from this approach by choosing an embellished outfit and pairing it with a few carefully selected accessories.
Kriti Sanon blends festive and contemporary fashion
Kriti Sanon offers another take on ethnic dressing with a printed red saree. The vibrant colour immediately gives the ensemble a festive character, while the elevated halterneck blouse introduces a contemporary element.
She completes the look with statement earrings and maximalist kadas, adding a generous dose of traditional jewellery to the modern blouse silhouette.
A signature mini bag provides another contemporary touch, showing how accessories associated with modern fashion can be incorporated into an ethnic outfit without taking away from its festive appeal.
Kriti’s styling is particularly useful for those who want to combine traditional Indian clothing with modern fashion elements. The saree retains its classic appeal, while the blouse, jewellery and mini bag make the overall appearance more fashion-forward.
Five different ways to dress for Janmashtami
The five looks offer distinctly different approaches to festive fashion. Raashii Khanna’s pink lehenga focuses on colour and embroidery, while Mrunal Thakur’s muted saree highlights sophistication and detailed craftsmanship.
Alia Bhatt’s yellow floral saree demonstrates the impact of a bright colour and distinctive styling. Janhvi Kapoor’s pearl-embellished pink lehenga takes a more delicate and glamorous approach, while Kriti Sanon’s red saree combines traditional dressing with contemporary elements.
Together, the looks show that there is no single formula for creating a Janmashtami-ready ethnic outfit. Whether one prefers a saree, lehenga, bright colours, muted tones, traditional jewellery or modern accessories, celebrity fashion offers several ways to personalise the festive wardrobe.
For those celebrating Janmashtami, these looks can serve as style references while choosing an outfit that reflects their individual personality. From vibrant pinks and yellows to classic reds and muted embellished tones, festive fashion this season offers plenty of room to experiment.