On-Set Wardrobes: Shriya Pilgaonkar, Archana Kalpathi, Ahan Shetty on What They Wear To Work
From oversized shirts to classic combos, here's what some of India's favourite celebrities are wearing to work in 2025.
Actors
From Alia Bhatt to Deepika Padukone, Ananya Panday to Ranbir Kapoor, denim and white have been Bollywood’s go-to off-duty uniform for decades. Teamed with enormous sunglasses, edgy sneakers and an oversized bag — it just screams celebrity. Shriya Pilgaonkar swears by this combo, revealing, “I’m most comfortable in my denims, a tank top and a pair of sneakers,” though she switches to a more desi kurta-and-jhumka look from time to time.
On the other hand, Mihir Ahuja, the breakout actor from The Archies (2023) and Vijay 69 (2024), opts for “oversized linen shirts” for a busy day on set. “It works best for Mumbai’s weather all year round,” he says, keeping him safe from a slight chill in the winter and from a deadly tan in the summer. But Ahuja is a conscious shopper with a wardrobe full of thrifted gems. “It’s easily available, you get multiple options and it is convenient. Plus, when you thrift, you extend its lifespan, reducing the volume of clothing sent to landfills each year,” he explains.
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Actor Ahan Shetty is not one to be hung up on brands as long as the clothes “feel good and fit well”. And that’s something that Ritvik Sahore, who made his debut with Ferrari Ki Sawaari (2012), also insists on, besides shopping from Indian homegrown labels. An expert stylist tells THR India that athleisure is taking over the industry crowd — and actor Anushka Sen is totally on board. “I always wear co-ord sets, athleisure, and jackets that I collect from my travels around the world.”
Filmmakers
On set, comfort is key. Even the most fashion-forward filmmakers like Karan Johar, dressed to the nines for lunch, tend to keep it simple on set. Archana Kalpathi, CEO of AGS Productions, (who bankrolled The Greatest of All Time), attests to this. “I’m always in a pair of Frame jeans with a white T-shirt…and never leave home without a pair of sunglasses.” For a long day of work, one thing is mandatory and that’s a “good pair of shoes — I have so many, but I like the Onitsuka [Tiger] ones the most”, she says.
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Writers
Be it Javed Akhtar’s kurta-and-shawl combo or Rajkumar Hirani’s glasses tucked into his shirt, writers have a knack for adding unique features to otherwise basic outfits. And no one does it better than Satyanshu Singh, the co-creator of Black Warrant (2025), and his signature newsboy hat. “Fourteen years ago, my younger brother, Devanshu [Singh], was an assistant director shooting Patiala House (2011) with [filmmaker] Nikkhil Advani in London,” he recalls. “On his way back, he bought me a hat for a pound. And that stayed.
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Over the years, I’ve had dozens of them and a lot of people gift them to me now. It’s difficult to find in India, so whenever someone [I know] is travelling abroad, I tell them to get me a cheap hat from the footpath!” Both he and his brother are often seen sporting the hat today, with Singh’s ever-expanding collection featuring “about half a dozen for Mumbai and a few woollen ones” currently. Along with the hat, he wears Asics shoes, jeans from Jack & Jones and a full-sleeve shirt to set. “It’s very difficult for me to dress any more formally than this…. I mean, pleated pants and formal shoes — no, sorry!” he says with a laugh.
Won’t Leave Home Without…
Anushka Sen: “An emerald Van Cleef & Arpels necklace and two rings that double as my lucky charms — all gifted by my parents!”
Mihir Ahuja: “My wallet, of course. Even in the digital era where people use UPI, I always keep some cash handy. It’s a habit.”
Ritvik Sahore: “My watch, wallet, backpack and sunglasses.”
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