Shraddha Kapoor’s scarlet Masaba sari came with a notched bustier and signature palm embroidery

For the launch of Thamma, Shraddha Kapoor chose the House of Masaba’s Manhattan Cocktail Sari from the Kinda Kooture collection, styled by Lakshmi Lehr. It wasn’t just the colour that caught attention, but the way the crepe moved; heavy enough to hold shape, fluid enough to sweep into a trail.

The body-skimming silhouette worked in tandem with a pallu that shimmered with one of the label’s signature motifs: the palm tree. The bustier blouse was cut with a notched neckline and packed with foliage embroidery in gold thread, dense enough to echo tapestry work. It was offset by a sheer bolero stitched with thumbholes, a detail that pushed the sari into sportier, contemporary territory.

The accessories extended the metallic accents of the ensemble: a choker in antique gold circling the collarbone, its rounded, coin-like motifs echoing historical regal jewellery with drop earrings and an assortment of bold, geometric rings. A luminous makeup look with kohl rimmed eyes, a flush of peach across the cheeks and nude lips offered a radiant counterpoint to the richness of the garment. Shraddha Kapoor’s hair styled into a long braid offered both a traditional touch and a deliberate narrative callback to her much-loved character in Stree, who belongs to the same cinematic universe as Thamma.

From Vogue’s fashion desk:

“This is a striking look, but it risks leaning costume. Pare back the gold jewellery: trade the chunky set for one delicate choker or a single bold cuff to keep the neckline clean, retain the nose ring. Swap the braid for a loose, side-parted waves. Add a pair of embroidered juttis in place of the strappy sandals to give it that full desi effect,” says Vogue India fashion associate Manglien Gangte.