‘She walked in wearing a simple cotton saree, leaving us awestruck': Sabyasachi on Sridevi

Sridevi’s remarkable comeback in the 2012 film English Vinglish was nothing short of spectacular. The film, where she portrayed Shashi, a housewife navigating the challenges of learning English, captivated audiences worldwide. Sridevi’s portrayal of the character was widely praised, as she delivered an authentic and heartfelt performance that resonated deeply with viewers. The film, produced on a modest budget of ₹10 crore, went on to gross ₹198 crore, proving to be a massive success.

For Sridevi, English Vinglish was not so much a comeback as it was a new beginning. The actress, after a 15-year hiatus, approached her role with the freshness and enthusiasm of a newcomer. She has spoken about how, despite her years away from the industry, she felt like she was stepping into the role of Shashi as if it were her debut film. In order to make her return memorable, the film's creators, including director Gauri Shinde, decided to present her in the most relatable and graceful manner possible.

To ensure Sridevi's look was authentic to the character, the team sought out the world-renowned designer Sabyasachi Mukherjee, whose influence would help define Shashi’s wardrobe. Sridevi's saree looks have always been a talking point, particularly her choice of chiffon sarees, which have since become iconic.

However, the film’s wardrobe designers were keen to avoid the stereotypical look. Gauri Shinde specifically wanted to keep Shashi's wardrobe simple yet beautiful, to reflect the character's humble, middle-class background. Sabyasachi, therefore, selected a variety of sarees made from inexpensive materials but in a range of attractive colours and textures. These included cotton, georgette, crepe, tussar, jute silk, and Kanchivaram sarees, to name a few.

For scenes set at home, Sridevi’s character wore soft, pastel-coloured cotton sarees paired with darker-coloured blouses in hues of black, maroon, and navy blue. Gauri Shinde later revealed that the goal was to create an appearance that felt as natural and grounded as possible for the character of Shashi.

As the film progressed into its second half, Shashi's wardrobe evolved. For key scenes, she donned more sophisticated outfits, including trench coats and sarees that were both stylish and elegant. Among the standout pieces was a floral-printed pastel blue chiffon saree, an onion pink cotton saree, and a bottle green saree with golden borders. However, it was the red Chanderi saree that garnered the most attention during the film's climax, captivating audiences with its elegance and understated beauty.

Speaking about Sridevi’s saree looks in the film, Sabyasachi once said, “There are only two actresses who make cotton sarees look truly beautiful and sexy, and one of them is Sridevi.” A huge fan of the actress, Sabyasachi worked on English Vinglish without any remuneration.

He also recalled a memorable moment from the film’s first look test, which was conducted at Mehboob Studios in Mumbai. Sridevi appeared wearing a simple cotton saree, costing just ₹800, and the team was left in awe of how stunning she looked in it. “She was absolutely magnificent,” Sabyasachi remarked.

The sarees Sridevi wore in English Vinglish went on to become highly popular, and similar designs quickly flooded stores in Delhi and Mumbai. In fact, on the tenth anniversary of the film's release, Sridevi’s signature sarees were auctioned off, with the proceeds going to a charity focused on supporting girls' education.

Sridevi’s fashion influence wasn't just limited to English Vinglish. Her wardrobe in the 1989 film Chandni had also created waves in the Indian fashion world. In that film, she sported a series of white outfits, including a self-printed white saree and a white salwar kameez with a matching dupatta. Her look, complemented by chiffon sarees in solid colours like yellow, hot pink, and light green, became a trendsetter. The film’s fashion quickly made its way into the wardrobes of women across India, with chiffon sarees becoming a must-have item.

The success of Sridevi’s looks in both Chandni and English Vinglish highlights her unique ability to effortlessly blend grace, simplicity, and elegance, creating a lasting impact on the fashion scene that transcends generations.