The opening ceremony of the 2024 Paris Olympics, set against the backdrop of the River Seine, saw renowned Indian players PV Sindhu and Sharath Kamal proudly bearing the Indian flag. 

They led a contingent of 78 athletes and officials, all donning outfits designed by Tarun Tahiliani's fashion house, TASVA. The men were dressed in kurta-bundi sets, and the women wore matching saris, all in the tricolour of the Indian flag. The ceremonial attire featured ikat prints and Banarasi brocade. 

However what was meant to be a proud moment for India has instead turned into a disaster, leaving many questioning the choices of those responsible for the outfits. These designs quickly became the target of widespread criticism online, with many questioning the quality and creativity of the costume.

"From a nation renowned for its textiles and weaves, seeing our players in digital prints for such a prestigious event is disheartening. Am I the only one bothered by this?" wrote one user. 

The sentiment was echoed by many, who felt that the attire was an embarrassment to India's rich heritage. 

"Tarun Tahiliani and the Ministry of Textiles bureaucrat who approved this horrendous ceremonial saree should be tried for treason! What a wasted opportunity!" exclaimed another.

Critics didn't stop there. They compared the Indian attire unfavourably to those of other nations, pointing out how sophisticated and stunning other countries' outfits looked. 

"Given our country's rich heritage of fabrics and craftsmanship, this effort is both pathetic and embarrassing. The tacky stitched-on shoulder patch only adds to the disappointment," another user added.

Adding fuel to the fire, social media users drew comparisons to the recent extravagant wedding of Anant Ambani and Radhika Merchant, which featured a range of bespoke outfits by Tarun Tahiliani, including one worn by the famous Kardashians.

"The Indian team’s official attire looks inspired from the Ambani Wedding hospitality team. Bravo #TarunTahiliani," quipped a sarcastic observer.

One particularly scathing comment read, "Hello Tarun Tahiliani! I’ve seen better sarees sold on Mumbai streets for Rs.200 than these ceremonial uniforms you’ve ‘designed’. The cheap polyester-like fabric and Ikat PRINT (!!!) are just thrown together with no imagination. Did you outsource this to an intern or create it last minute? It’s a disgrace to India’s rich weaving culture and history."

Netizens alleged that the designer was not paid as much as Ambani's weddings that is why he created such a 'fashion flop'.