Genelia Deshmukh’s floral Gaurang Shah lehenga was inspired by the Mughal gardens

In the era of fast fashion, Genelia Deshmukh’s recent appearance for an event in Hyderabad in a Gaurang Shah lehenga is a rare reminder of the power of provenance. Understated and steeped in story, her floral look is timeless, intentional and deeply rooted in India’s textile heritage.

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Drawn from Shah’s collection ‘रंangरaas’, the lehenga set merged old-world elegance with modern romanticism. “The silhouette is traditional, consisting of a fluid lehenga, a structured blouse with traditional buta detailing and a soft dupatta,” shared Shah. “The design is inspired by the Mughal gardens of the Taj Mahal—the symmetry, the floral layouts, the calm elegance. You’ll see those elements reflected in the way the motifs are placed and how the garment moves,” he added.

That lyrical reference is translated as painterly flowers that bloom across the skirt like miniature murals, while the pale gold-beige base offers a gentle counterpoint to the more vivid pops of pinks, oranges, yellows and greens.

The pastel lehenga was made from hand charkha Khadi Jamdani—one of India’s oldest and most intricate textile weaves, hailing from the Srikakulam district of Andhra Pradesh. “What makes it special is the technique, where the motifs are inserted during the weaving process, not after. It’s slow, detailed work. Jamdani weaving is like drawing with threads,” Shah explained.