On-Set Wardrobes: What Nandita Das, Preeti Panigrahi, Amol Parashar and Shanaya Makani Wear To Work

Actors

For the young actor Preeti Panigrahi, most popularly known for her role in the award-winning film Girls Will Be Girls (2024), personal style is as much about sentiment as it is about silhouette. She leans toward breathable Indian wear — kurtis, skirts and salwars — which she terms a perfect blend of “comfort and beauty.” Her wardrobe is filled with some very personal pieces: “Everything my mom has stitched for me, and everything I have borrowed from my sister,” Panigrahi says. When it comes to footwear, her go-to is a trusty pair of slightly elevated slippers, “Easy to slip on and off, and I get to check in on my feet,” she jokes. Jewellery isn’t just an accessory — it’s an integral part of her. “I feel incomplete without earrings,” she says. Her aesthetic? “Loose, flowy, and sometimes a tad bit dramatic.”

Meanwhile, actor Amol Parashar brings an effortlessly casual and versatile approach to his wardrobe. The actor, who’s starred in films like Sardar Udham (2021) and shows like Gram Chikitsalay (2025), is most comfortable in a T-shirt or a shirt over a tee, paired with pants and comfy sneakers. “These days, I have been leaning on a pair of black-and-white sneakers. They go with a lot of things and are comfortable,” he says. But one of his most cherished pieces?

A T-shirt from his high school days that evokes nostalgia. Parashar is slowly warming up to accessories, especially watches. “I never used to wear any, but recently I’ve taken a liking to them.” He names a Mont Blanc watch — a gift — as his wardrobe favourite. Describing his personal style, he says, “It’s casual, no-fuss, but I prefer a bit of charm.” While he doesn’t hesitate to experiment, he always goes with what feels right.

Filmmakers

Filmmaker, actor and social advocate Nandita Das is an unapologetic champion of slow fashion. “I still have clothes from my 20s and 30s,” she says. For her, comfort and purpose outweigh trends. A typical work day might mean editing, speaking at an event or being on set — each requiring a different kind of attire. She’s best known for her role in Deepa Mehta’s Fire (1996) and Earth (1998), along with directorial projects Manto (2018), and most recently, Zwigato (2022). For shoots, Das sticks to jeans or cotton pants with kurtas or tops; for public events, it’s always a sari or Indian formal wear. Scarves — both stylish and versatile — are her most treasured pieces, while her jewellery is minimal, a quiet mix of old silver or brass earrings and rings. Das tells The Hollywood Reporter India that she’s stopped wearing watches a decade ago. “Can’t call it a style as it’s not so curated,” she adds, “but comfort over fashion, always.” The actor-director is a big fan of natural fabrics (as handmade as possible) earthy colours, denim and linen.

Creators

Dance creator and style influencer Shanaya Makani finds the perfect crossover between sporty and chic in her sartorial choices. With much of her day spent in the studio, baggy pants and crop tops are like a uniform. “I also love activewear,” she says, particularly Lululemon, Alo, Gymshark, Ela Wear, and Aer Active. But it is Makani’s accessory game that stands out, growing into a content series of its own. “My outfits are usually simple, but the jewellery amps them up,” she says. Her signature? Chunky, edgy statement pieces from Misho Designs, Isharya, and Bhavya Ramesh in India, The M Jewelers and Studs in New York, and UNOde50 in Spain. A vintage gold floral ring passed down by her grandmother is her most treasured item. She often borrows men’s watches from her dad’s closet — “they just look cooler,” she says.

Get The Look

• Preeti Panigrahi’s Digital Watch: Watches, for Panigrahi, are purely functional — she sticks to a digital one to count her steps but still prefers asking people the time.

• Amol Parashar’s Onitsuka Sneakers: A pair of Onitsuka sneakers, which were gifted to him, hold a special place in the actor’s wardrobe.

• Shanaya Makani’s Nike Sneakers: Her footwear rotation revolves around New Balance 570s for comfort while dancing and Nike Air Force 1s for daily dressing.

• Nandita Das’s Juttis: Her footwear choices are functional: closed keds for dusty shoots, and chappals, juttis or sandals for everything else. “Never heels, and definitely not those spine-destroying stilettos,” she says.

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