Bollywood’s rising star Ananya Panday recently opened up about her personal style and favourite Indian outfits. From a memorable lehenga moment at Rohit Bal’s final show to her international runway debut, the young actor reflected on her evolving relationship with fashion, crediting some of India’s top designers for shaping her sartorial choices.
One of Ananya’s most cherished looks was her lehenga, blouse, and cape set designed by Rohit Bal for his last-ever show. “That was special because my mum had spoken so much about Gudda and his clothes from the ’90s and 2000s,” she shared with Vogue, referring to Bal’s legacy in the fashion industry. This sentimental connection made the ensemble stand out as one that resonated deeply with her personality.
When designer Arpita Mehta asked Ananya about the outfits that “came close to her personality,” Ananya mentioned three standout looks, one of them being the Rohit Bal outfit. The second was a red full-sleeved sari designed by Mehta herself, which the actress wore to the Ambani family’s Ganpati celebration in 2023. “I even messaged you saying that I wanted to get married in this outfit,” she revealed, emphasising how much she adored the look.
The third was a shimmering silver sari by Manish Malhotra, which she donned for the IIFA Awards in 2022. “He was the first designer to put me in a sari,” she recalled, highlighting the transformative experience of wearing Malhotra’s iconic drapes.
One of Ananya’s most cherished looks was her lehenga, blouse, and cape set designed by Rohit Bal for his last-ever show (Express archive photo by Chitral Khambati)
Walking Paris Couture Week with Rahul Mishra
Ananya also reflected on her international runway debut for designer Rahul Mishra at Paris Couture Week. She had initially debated whether to walk or simply attend the show, as her chosen outfit—a stunning, intricately crafted 3D piece—was impossible to sit in. “Once I got to the venue, my nerves kicked in and I practiced for two hours with friendly models,” she admitted.
Despite her growing fashion presence, Ananya revealed to couturier Amit Aggarwal that she wasn’t always into dressing up. “I wore my brother’s oversized clothes, pyjamas, and workout leggings—unlike Shanaya, Suhana, and Rysa, who had a strong sense of style,” she confessed. Over time, as she stepped into the limelight, she embraced classic silhouettes and colours, gravitating toward designers like Arpita Mehta, Manish Malhotra, Rahul Mishra, and Aggarwal himself. “They make me feel very comfortable whenever I wear their garments,” she added.
Ananya acknowledged how digital platforms have played a crucial role in celebrating designers and their work. “When it comes to collaboration, thank god for Instagram tags and captions,” she quipped, recognising how social media allows her to credit and connect with the creative minds behind her most iconic looks.
