Discover why Bollywood brides are making this surprising saree choice

What Makes Bollywood Celebrities Choose Benarasi for Their Big Day ?

Have you ever paused to wonder what becomes of a bridal lehenga after the wedding festivities end? More often than not, it finds a quiet spot tucked  away at the back of a closet — cherished, but seldom revisited. Every bride vividly remembers running from pillar to post to find that perfect fit, cut and colour of their lehenga that resonates with them and makes them look their best on their D Day. Yet, despite the countless hours of craftsmanship poured into creating that masterpiece, it’s often worn only once, maybe twice

But what if your wedding attire could live beyond just one day?

Yes, this was exactly the thought behind Dia Mirza’s wedding with Vaibhav Rekhi when she chose to go all sustainable and decided to take pheras in a beautiful red Benarasi woven saree from Raw Mango that she knew she would be able to repeat at any other occasion as well or maybe pass it down as a treasured heirloom . The saree featured bold borders with barfi jaal design combined with floral butta motifs and was paired with a beautiful red organza odhni taken over the head to complete the wedding look. She never thought that this was something she did for herself but something she wanted people to adopt in the years to come.

And to that a lot of us would wonder why only a Banarasi saree?  well one can definitely try and experiment different versions of a saree however, a pure Benarasi brocade gives you that right amount of lux appeal and elegance along with culturally significant motifs and colour options that compliment an auspicious occasion like that of your own wedding.

While Dia Mirza has long championed sustainable Fashion and handcrafted traditions, she isn’t alone. Several Bollywood brides have embraced the timeless charm of Banarasi sarees- not just for their weddings, but for key moments during their celebrations.

1)  Anushka Sharma: Anushka opted for a Sabyasachi Benarasi saree for her wedding reception look that featured bel and Kalga motifs and blended well with the concept of a typical Indian married woman adorning a deep red sindoor and red choodas.

Sabyasachi who always makes sure to work towards the encouragement and promotion of craft and craftsmen in our country through his designs created a buzz after it was rumoured that he even got his weaver’s name woven along with the design of the saree which Anushka Sharma wore to forever mark the artisan’s signature onto his creation as an ode to the dexterity with which these weavers curate each piece.

2) Deepika Padukone: Throwback to her wedding day Deepika Padukone was seen holding a Benarasi saree in her lap which was gifted to her by her in- laws. While she opted for a beautiful kanjeevaram saree on her reception as part of her culture she was seen adorning a Sabyasachi collection Benarasi saree, the same which was gifted to her to mark one year of her marriage with Ranveer Singh. This shows the kind of importance that each motif and thread woven with so much patience holds for Indians and it has almost become an indispensable part of every Indian wedding.

Image credits India.com      

What is even more interesting is that while Deepika was pregnant with her daughter Dua she decided to step out in an exquisite emerald green Banarasi saree to seek blessings at the Siddhivinayak Temple. This saree was special because it was gifted to her by a dearest friend and famous stylist Anaita Shroff Adajania and was a revival piece inspired from a century old saree from which the major design motifs were kept intact with few changes and it actually looked quite different from the usual motifs that we see in such a saree. It was from a brand known as Banarasi Baithak and was meticulously crafted by the skilled craftsmen in the by lanes of Banaras. Green colour has always been a symbol of Healing, Growth and Fertility. Its beautiful hue connects one with the peacefulness of the nature  making it a perfect fit for Deepika to wear it at a stage when a new life was breathing inside her.                      

After seeing actresses like Deepika, Anushka and Dia mirza many other actresses hopped onto the trend including Yami Gautam and Ankita Lokhande and even the culture of wearing a sari for pheras continued. Now not just brides but Benarasi magic also became a popular choice for the bride’s mother as well when we saw Smriti Irani very gracefully flaunting one at her daughter’s wedding and setting the trend right.

    3) Sonakshi Sinha : Recently when Sonakshi Sinha got married although it was an inter faith marriage they decided to keep it very simple respecting both the communities that they come from and this saree was unlike any other — it featured customized Chaand-Taara (moon and star) motifs, blending the rich traditions of both cultures she was stepping into.

It was a moment that celebrated love, inclusivity, and heritage — all wrapped in the gentle folds of Banarasi silk..

These days a lot of people are resorting to slow fashion and handcrafted products promoting the rich legacy of our crafts. However, my first encounter with Benarasi brocade weaving was through my maternal grandmother’s lens. My encounter comes from the gleam in her eyes so bright as I start talking about her hometown Varanasi. I remember my mother narrating anecdotes of how my grandmother’s brother used to get bundles of freshly woven designs all the way to Mumbai when my grandmother got married here so that she can sell it out to her friends. These were simple ways in which he carried out a side business and slowly popularised them among all of the people living nearby my grandmother’s home in Mumbai.

Weaving Banarasi brocade to me is like running your fingers through a musical instrument to create that perfect melody that captivates us all in its beauty.