Alia Bhatt’s sari carried 275 hours of embroidery across arches, buttis and zari borders

Wearing Masaba Gupta’s ‘Patakha’ sari, Alia Bhatt became the canvas for a story stitched from Mughal buttis, Rajasthani arches and the bright colours that define Masaba’s hand.

More than 275 hours of embroidery went into the drape. Its hem carried jharokha motifs echoing haveli windows, crafted through appliqué and patchwork. Golden buttis shimmered across the body, while a woven zari border anchored the heritage frame. And then, Masaba’s signature pink pulled the piece unmistakably into her own vocabulary.

Alia Bhatt paired the sari with a lean, strappy tie-back blouse, which was a fuss-free cut she often turns to when styling ornate drapes, letting the craftsmanship speak for itself. Her hero jewel was a pair of oversized temple-style jhumkas, detailed with elephants. In Indian tradition, elephants are entwined with prosperity, wisdom and auspicious beginnings through their association with Ganesha, making them particularly symbolic for the festival. The look was put together by stylist Priyanka Kapadia Badani, who offset them with a stack of gold bangles and a single gold ring, choosing not to weigh the look down with a necklace, a styling note aligned with the current celebrity choice of letting one statement piece lead.

Her beauty look stayed true to her usual and classic preference: hair parted down the middle and tied into a bun, a tiny green bindi for contrast, dewy skin, muted pink lips, and softly defined lashes. She rounded it off with glossy nails in a soft pink. The effect was understated yet intentional, an effortless balance to the sari’s intricate detailing.