Janhvi Kapoor’s half sari comes with a pearl-laden back detail worth a closer look

For a shoot promoting her upcoming film, Janhvi Kapoor embraced a modern take on the traditional South Indian half sari, wearing a luminous gold ensemble from Manish Malhotra World. The look featured a voluminous gold tissue lehenga, a skirt crafted from a fabric that’s feather-light yet densely woven with metallic threads, catching the light with every movement. The dupatta draped voni-style pays homage to the classic langa voni silhouette while infusing it with couture glamour.

The half sari’s understated appearance is offset by a blouse that could play the part of a jeweller’s showpiece. Every inch is covered in pearls, crystals and sequins, embroidered by hand onto sheer tulle that makes the beadwork appear suspended midair. The shoulders are lightly structured for definition, while the back is cut away to reveal a frame of pearl-strung straps ending in small latkans that sway with each step. This degree of surface detailing often requires hundreds of hours in the atelier, with artisans working bead by bead to create a uniform yet dimensional finish. Cinching the drape at the waist is a narrow kamarband in matching gold, its slim metallic line giving the otherwise fluid silhouette a deliberate shape.

Kapoor’s jewellery includes a yellow-gold neckpiece set with diamonds and emeralds, extending the ‘molten’ palette while adding sharp green accents. The tiered choker is paired with temple-style jhumkas with granulated detailing and a single statement emerald ring that also introduces flecks of green for visual contrast.