Jodhaa Akbarstarring Aishwarya Rai and Hrithik Roshan, hit theatres in 2008 and broke many records at the box office. Critics and fans could not hold themselves back from praising the actors, the entire cast, and the songs, but fashion enthusiasts could not take their eyes off the ensembles created for both male and female actors.
But one thing that stood out was Aishwarya as Jodhaa Bai, not just in her portrayal but also through her looks. The actor’s red lehenga remains one of the most stunning creations to ever have been worn on the silver screen. It even became a part of the Academy Museum’s Colour in Motion exhibition in Los Angeles in 2025.
What stole the limelight on the silver screen kept designer Neeta Lulla awake at night. The ace designer came across multiple challenges in creating Aishwarya’s regal outfits for the film. In the latest video she shared on Instagram, the designer revealed what went into creating the iconic red lehenga.
“I designed 2,600 costumes for Jodhaa Akbar in the limited colours we set out for the canvas. But here was yet another challenge. The DOP was shooting almost entirely in natural light. It sounds beautiful, right? Except that natural light highlights every shiny fabric. So, every lehenga, every dupatta, every single piece had to be matte. No shimmer, no shine, nothing,” the designer shared in the video.
