Samantha Ruth Prabhu’s burnt orange Krésha Bajaj sari is a new-age take on traditional dressing

Leave it to Samantha Ruth Prabhu to deliver a head-turning moment even without her glam squad in tow. For a recent event in the US, the actor stepped out in a Krésha Bajaj ensemble that felt refreshingly modern yet unmistakably rooted in tradition. She opted for a pre-draped sari in a burnt orange hue; one that delivered the visual drama of the six-yard classic without any of the usual prep.

At first glance, it reads like a classic pre-stitched sari. In reality, it’s a modular three-piece set: a corset, an asymmetric skirt and a soft georgette drape, built, as Bajaj puts it, for “no ironing, no draping and no fussing.”

“I wanted something that felt modern but still had a strong Indian core, so a pre-stitched sari was a no-brainer,” she says. “With no access to her usual styling team, practicality was key. It’s why ‘Auburnelle’ felt right. It’s a three-piece, couture-esque set built around the idea of modular dressing.”

The corset is the standout: structured boning, fabric buttons, a lace-up back and hand-beaded embroidery that mimics the fading detail of antique tapestries. “The embroidery was inspired by vintage tapestries—faded but still intricate. Instead of threadwork, we recreated that gradient with beads,” Bajaj explains. “It’s all hand-done, which gives it texture and depth. The result is a corset that’s sexy, structured and the kind of piece you can just as easily pair with jeans or a tailored trouser.”