Ananya Panday’s billowing anarkali by Rohit Bal is an ideal wedding guest look

For the special screening of Rekha’s iconic 1981 film Umrao Jaan, Ananya Panday paid homage to the legendary character with a voluminous ivory anarkali by Rohit Bal. The actor’s flowing-white anarkali exuded old-school opulence, capturing the nostalgic grandeur of Umrao Jaan. The ensemble was equal parts soft and structured. The fitted bodice, delicately embellished with resham thread embroidery, featured a sweetheart neckline and full-length sleeves with slight ruching. Cut from layers of soft georgette, the anarkali billowed dramatically below.

Panday styled the look with oversized chaandbaalis, amplifying its vintage charm. Her hair was pulled back in a low bun, adorned with bright red roses, and the makeup featured defined brows, flushed cheeks and petal pink lips. She completed the look with a dainty bindi.

Muzaffar Ali’s Umrao Jaan is a landmark in Indian cinema, not just for its storytelling but also for Rekha’s career-defining portrayal of the courtesan-poet from 19th-century Lucknow. The costumes, designed by Subhashini Ali, were crafted authentically to the period the movie was set in, using traditional fabrics and natural dyes to create Umrao Jaan’s iconic looks.