Lamhe (1991) still one of Bollywood’s most celebrated movies after a decade in the making for its interesting story and great performances and its style is a touchstone movie. The Yash Chopra directorial with Sridevi performing double with Anil Kapoor and has never lost its appeal to designers and fashion lovers in Bollywood.
One of the biggest contributors to the film’s enduring visual appeal was the costume designer Neeta Lulla, whose craftsmanship earned her the National Film Award for Best Costume Design. Looking back on her work while making the film over the years, Lulla states that all of Sridevi’s clothes were handcrafted with great care and detail and she said that every outfit was specially made for the Indian actress, so Lamhe is a major achievement in Indian costume design.
A Vision Beyond Fashion
Designing costumes in cinema is much more than dressing actors; it is a vital storytelling tool. In Lamhe Neeta Lulla collaborated with director Yash Chopra to create wardrobes that reflected the personalities, emotions and evolution of Sridevi’s two different characters.
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The challenge was big. Sridevi portrayed both Pallavi, an elegant and graceful woman, and Pooja, a young woman who was very modern. Their costumes had to be their own and still the film's aesthetic continuity was important.
The result is a collection of outfits that seamlessly blended tradition with sophistication, and was so much part of the film’s identity.
Every Outfit Was Handcrafted
Every costume designed for Lamhe was handcrafted by Neeta Lulla, an artisanship that took patience, skilled artisanship and many hours of work to create, she said.
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Instead of mass-produced garments, the costumes featured:
- Hand embroidery
- Traditional textile techniques
- Carefully selected fabrics
- Intricate embellishments
- Custom tailoring for every scene.
Each garment was made to match Sridevi’s screen presence while still being real to the environment and characters of the film.
Such a laborious approach was a sign of the dedication of the Indian artisans and of the richness of the country’s textile tradition.
Celebrating Indian Craftsmanship
Lamhe was one of the great things about it for a film of traditional Indian attire. The film was very well-crafted:
- Lehengas
- Sarees
- Ethnic jacket
- Dupattas
- Embroidered ensembles
- The most beautiful festive clothing
Many of these designs were handwork that required exceptional skill. The costumes were royal beauty integrated with wearable beauty, so they were memorable long after the film had been released.
Their timeless appeal is still in effect in bridal clothes and festive wear collections today.
Sridevi: The Perfect Muse
Sridevi’s versatility allowed each outfit to come alive on screen. Whether she was wearing richly embroidered traditional attire or soft contemporary silhouettes, she carried each look with effortless grace.
Her performance enhanced the costumes, so that they felt like extensions of the characters and not just a fashion statement.
The chemistry between costume design, performance, cinematography, and direction made for some memorable visual moments of Bollywood history for both Bollywood filmmakers and filmmakers.
Winning the National Award
Neeta Lulla was awarded the National Film Award for Best Costume Design, one of India’s top honors.
The award acknowledged not only the beauty of the costumes but also their contribution to storytelling and character development.
Neeta Lulla has designed costumes for many successful films and celebrities to become one of India’s most celebrated fashion designers over the years but Lamhe remains one of the most epochal moments in her long career.
The Lasting Influence of Lamhe Fashion
Lamhe’s influence is much more than cinema. And designers still take inspiration from the film’s elegant use of color, embroidery and traditional craftsmanship.
Fashion trends inspired by Lamhe include:
- Heritage-inspired bridal lehengas
- Richly embroidered festive wear
- Elegant silk sarees
- Statement dupattas
- Traditional Rajasthani-inspired ensembles
- Handcrafted ethnic couture
And the film showed that handcrafted clothing retains the same old-timeiness that old-fashioned fashion trends do.
Why Handcrafted Fashion Still Matters
In an age of fast-fashion, handcrafted garments continue to be of high quality, artistry, and sustainability. They preserve traditional techniques passed down through generations and are helping skilled artisans and local craft communities.
Neeta Lulla has always stressed that handcrafted fashion is the best way to do it so that authentic craftsmanship adds depth to any design.
Producer-driven clothing is valued for both its uniqueness and durability and it’s culturally significant so artisanal fashion is not only relevant but increasingly important.
Sridevi’s unforgettable wardrobe in Lamhe is one of the best costume designs in Indian cinema. Neeta Lulla created costumes that were as iconic as the film itself with care and thoughtfulness and a keen understanding of India’s textile traditions.
Her National Award-winning work showed how handcrafted fashion can elevate cinematic storytelling while celebrating India’s rich artistic heritage. Now decades later, Lamhe continues to inspire designers, filmmakers and fashion lovers that true style is timeless—and that skilled craftsmanship never goes out of fashion.
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