On most red carpets, the narrative is scripted in silhouettes and sequins. But at the Mumbai premiere of Homebound, Janhvi Kapoor‘s outfit scripted a different narrative, one of memory, love, and legacy. Draped in a navy blue and black sari edged with gold embroidery, Janhvi carried with her not just couture but history.
This sari was no ordinary piece. Designed by Manish Malhotra, it had first made its appearance on Sridevi, Janhvi’s late mother, at Virat Kohli and Anushka Sharma’s wedding reception in 2017. For Janhvi to bring it back, seven years later, on the night her own film was announced as India’s official entry to the 2026 Oscars, was both poetic and deeply personal.
A Daughter’s Tribute
Fashion has long been a language of expression, but here it became a language of remembrance. Janhvi didn’t just wear her mother’s sari; she wore her aura. In the midst of the chaos of snapping cameras and moguls, her choice was a powerful but quiet reminder that some bonds stretch past all, even past time.
She dressed it carefully so that the dignity of the sari was not lost. The borders of gold blazed as they unwound over the drapery, and a black velvet blouse gave the outfit shape and richness. Traditional jewelry, a ruby-and-moti Kundan choker, weighty jhumkas, and old bangles wrapped her in the richness of tradition. But out of all the extravagance, it was the most unremarkable of accessories that resonated the loudest: one single black thread knotted around her wrist, representing protection, memory, and continuity.
Her locks of hair were smartly parted and tied in a bun, streaked with a small bindi of red. The make-up veered on the side of brilliance: bronzed skin, high cheekbones, smudged but softly outlined eyes of kohl, batting eyelids, and a pink gloss pout. Her nails also carried an aura of distinctness, painted in light strokes of orange and blue, a faint whisper of sportiveness amidst the weight of ceremony.
It was Sridevi’s sari, yes, but reimagined by Janhvi in a way that made it wholly her own.
When Fashion Becomes Personal
For Janhvi, the evening was more than just a premiere. Homebound, directed by Neeraj Ghaywan and co-starring Ishaan Khatter and Vishal Jethwa, had just been announced as India’s official Oscar entry for the Best International Film category. To stand in that moment at once deeply professional and profoundly emotional, wrapped in something her mother had loved, was a gesture layered with meaning.
Fashion critics often talk about “archival dressing” as a trend, but here it became something much more intimate. This wasn’t a stylist’s strategy; it was a daughter’s instinct. By honoring her mother through fabric and thread, Janhvi turned what could have been another glamorous appearance into a living tribute.
And perhaps that’s the lesson for all of us. We don’t need a red carpet to borrow strength from what’s already ours. Your mother’s sari, your grandmother’s dupatta, and your brother’s old jacket carry memory. And when worn with intent, they transform into something far greater than fashion.
As the fashion desk summed it up: “The key is to revisit a meaningful piece from your family’s wardrobe and pair it with something current. Inherit the look, but make it your own.”
A Night of Celebration and Memory
The premiere itself was a starry affair. Karan Johar hosted, and the guest list was stacked with names like Hrithik Roshan, Vicky Kaushal, Tamannaah Bhatia, Twinkle Khanna, Farah Khan, and, of course, Manish Malhotra, who first designed the sari for Sridevi.
But even in the sea of couture and celebrity, Janhvi’s choice stood apart because it wasn’t just about glamour. It was about carrying her mother with her on one of the biggest nights of her career so far.
On Instagram, Janhvi expressed her gratitude for the film’s journey: “Every part of this film has been nothing short of a dream… Everything since has been a celebration of all these people that I love and respect so much for their talent, their goodness, and their courage. This movie and even its journey have been about hope in so many more ways than one would expect.”
Her words mirrored the sari she wore, rooted in the past but glowing with hope for the future.
More Than a Red-Carpet Look
At its heart, Janhvi Kapoor’s choice was a reminder that fashion is never just about fabric. It is about stories, memories, and the invisible threads that stitch generations together. On the night when Homebound was launched into the world with Oscar-sized dreams, Janhvi anchored herself to the memory of her mother.
It was a sari, yes. But it was also a bridge. Between past and present. Between mother and daughter. Between memory and tomorrow.
And that’s what made it unforgettable.