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Exclusive | Behind Vijay Deverakonda and Rashmika Mandanna’s Wedding Jewellery: ‘They Approached Every Look With A Willingness To Experiment’
The people behind SHREE Jewellers take us through the intricate gold craftsmanship that bridged the actors’ South Indian heritage with a distinct freshness.
When Rashmika Mandanna and Vijay Deverakonda’s first wedding pictures went up on their Instagram in February, fans relished the union of their screen icons. But this was also a wedding that made connoisseurs of fashion and design sit up and take notice. The couple, who married in a traditional Telugu ceremony, let their roots gleam through their jewellery. SHREE Jewellers, who made these pieces come to life over the course of ten months, takes The Hollywood Reporter India through the collaborative process that made these creations a reality.
The brief was to create something deeply rooted in South Indian heritage, yet entirely fresh in its expression, say Abhishek Agarwal and Kaushik Kumar, managing directors of the brand. “Both Vijay and Rashmika came into the process with a strong sense of what they wanted. They were clear that the jewellery should not feel predictable or overly traditional in a conventional sense. Instead, it had to evolve with each function, shifting in mood, materiality and form, while still feeling cohesive as one story. There was also a shared desire to push boundaries, especially with Vijay’s jewellery, where the idea was to move beyond minimalism and explore a more complete, expressive language for the groom.”
Vijay’s jewellery choices went beyond just bold accessorising. With his stacked gold pieces, telling a story head to toe, he pushed the boundaries of groom jewellery. “Vijay’s wedding jewellery was conceived as a complete, intentional composition, not as isolated accents, but as a full ceremonial language for the groom,” say Agarwal and Kumar. At the core were the layered haars and neckpieces, which established the visual weight of the look. “The waistband, or vaddanam, extended this narrative further. Rather than being treated as a purely ornamental addition, it was designed to anchor the silhouette, adding a sense of regality and completeness to the ensemble. The bajuband and hand pieces introduced a more sculptural dimension. These elements were particularly significant because they are rarely explored in groom styling at this scale.”
The design language in these pieces included motifs of elephants, tigers and floral elements. “Techniques like deep Nakshi carving and detailed texturing ensured that each piece carried dimension and character.”As for Mandanna’s look, they worked on a fully realised composition with over thirteen pieces that worked together as one seamless silhouette.
“Every element, from the layered harams to the jada billa, champasaralu, hathphool and vaddanam, was designed with precision, allowing the jewellery to feel sculptural yet fluid. Her look drew from a divine narrative, inspired by the iconography of Goddess Lakshmi, creating a presence that felt both powerful and ethereal.”
The process involved constant dialogue, multiple fittings and a shared commitment to refining every detail. “What made the journey particularly special was how involved both Vijay and Rashmika were, despite their demanding schedules. They approached each look with thought, curiosity, and a willingness to experiment, which allowed the designs to evolve organically,” they elaborate.
When asked to recall the first reactions from the couple, they immediately have a memory to share. “Rashmika’s reaction, in particular, stayed with us. When she saw the wedding jewellery fully assembled, she paused, took it in, and smiled before saying, “You’ve done it.” It was simple, but deeply reassuring. There was a sense that she saw the vision exactly as it had been imagined, and that quiet acknowledgement meant a great deal after such an involved process.
SHREE Jewellers also worked on Aisha Rao’s showcase at the recently-concluded Lakme Fashion Week. For this collection, they brought together Art Deco influences and modern styling, reinterpreted through a contemporary lens. A few pieces from this collection stand out as strong indicators of where jewellery is headed, they add.
“The oversized handcuff is one; it redefines jewellery placement, making it more sculptural and fashion-forward. The delicate ear cuff introduces a softer, more modern femininity, allowing for a statement without heaviness,” they say, noting that the naked setting stone is a move they were particularly excited about.