On-Set Wardrobes: Kanika Dhillon, Barkha Singh, Farhana Bodi and Nikhita Gandhi on What They Wear To Work

Actors

When it comes to dressing for a night out, actors love to make a statement. Be it with a chic co-ord set like the beige one Alia Bhatt wore for Sanjay Leela Bhansali’s birthday dinner in February, or the chunky gold jewellery Kiara Advani sported at a store opening in Mumbai.

Actor Barkha Singh’s got the formula down, her go-to dress being one that’s “not too tight, and not too flowy”, she reveals. The trick, she tells The Hollywood Reporter India, is to find one that fits right. The Maja Ma (2022) actor loves to layer her jewellery and frequently pairs it with statement bags and matching stilettos. Singh continues, “I usually like dark colours…if not black. Playing with silhouettes and statement pieces is something I enjoy.” While she admits that her style depends entirely on her mood, comfort and elegance are always key.

Singh’s love for statement pieces is echoed by actor Farhana Bodi. “Think bling couture,” the Dubai Bling (2022) star says cheekily. She’s all for sleek silhouettes and luxurious fabrics. Bodi adds, “A glamorous dress or a bold power suit with elevated accessories always makes an impact.” Though for work, her style leans more towards the chic — structured blazers, tailored pants and statement accessories, with a special focus on elegance, like Singh. What’s more interesting is that Bodi’s a big fan of contradictions, a fact evident in how she describes her personal style: “Jet-set glamour, bold elegance and effortless luxury.”

Filmmakers

If you spot a filmmaker at a party, there’s a 90 per cent chance they’re dressed from head to toe in black. Think Sanjay Leela Bhansali, Anurag Kashyap, or even Karan Johar (though, in his case, he’s probably got a stand-out jacket on top). Producer and screenwriter Kanika Dhillon is on the same page, when it comes to the all-black dress code, but she spices it up with a dress that can effortlessly be styled from day to night.

“Being a producer, screenwriter and mum to a four-year-old, time is always running out for me,” she says. Dhillon also emphasises the importance of layering, admitting that it serves a more practical purpose for a working mother. “Tomato sauce and coloured markers tend to show up on my clothes at the last minute, so layering saves the day!” She either adds one as she steps out or takes it off before she does. More fashionable than most, Dhillon’s also known for her enviable collection of saris. “You can never have enough,” she says with a smile.

Singers

There’s a rite of passage singers go through when they become bona fide rockstars — that is to say, they find their signature style. Divine’s got his go-to chain-and-cap combo, AP Dhillon loves his edgy jackets, and Diljit Dosanjh adds a touch of tradition — a kurta and chadra (dhoti) paired with sneakers.

For Nikhita Gandhi, the voice behind songs like “Qaafirana” from Kedarnath (2018) and “BurjKhalifa” from Laxmii (2020), it’s all about thigh-high boots that she styles with casual T-shirts on stage, where she often spends her nights out. But what makes her stage fits even cooler is the fact that she makes many of them herself. “They’re an extension of my personality. Being an artist, I can’t confine my canvas to just music…” She personally curates outfits for every show. Gandhi explains, “Sometimes I go for extravagant onesies, dungarees and different kinds of silhouettes too. I have a lot of fun with the clothes I wear for work.”

Props and accessories have a big role to play, and the perfect example is her yellow cap that reads “Niki”. “I made it myself,” she tells THR India, recalling a co-ord set she stitched out of bandhini fabric to wear on stage. “I like blending Indo-Western styles and making these comfortable, statement outfits.” Much like Bodi, her style has a little bit of everything. It’s quirky and chic, with hints of athleisure but very high fashion — “something with oomph”, as she puts it. It comes as no surprise that the pop star pairs short dresses with chunky sneakers for a more casual evening out.

What's in Her Wardrobe?

Barkha Singh: “A pair of denims; black and white pants; basic, neutral tops; and a good belt to elevate the look.”

Farhana Bodi: “A perfectly tailored blazer, oversized sunglasses, black heels, a little black dress…and [an Hermès] Birkin!”

Nikhita Gandhi: “My suitcase essentials, because I’m constantly on the move, are statement sneakers, thigh-high boots, and skin-shaded innerwear with fashion tape for shoots — it’s a lifesaver.”

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