Alia Bhatt looks like an AUNTY, Deepika is 0/10: Sufi Motiwala faces BACKLASH from divas' fans for his remarks

The grand opening of the World Audio Visual and Entertainment Summit (WAVES) 2025 turned into a dazzling affair as Bollywood's finest graced the red carpet in breathtaking looks. Among the many stars who attended Day 1 of this inaugural event, Alia Bhatt and Deepika Padukone stole the spotlight, not just for their fashion choices but also for the storm of reactions that followed fashion influencer Sufi Motiwala’s cutting remarks about their appearances.

WAVES 2025, held in Mumbai, welcomed celebrities like Shah Rukh Khan, Ranbir Kapoor, Saif Ali Khan, and Aamir Khan. But it was the women of the evening, Alia and Deepika, who made heads turn with their culturally rooted yet modern outfits, drawing inspiration from India’s rich heritage and becoming talking points of the fashion world.

Known for his no-holds-barred fashion commentary, Sufi Motiwala did not hold back while reviewing the ladies' looks. Speaking about Deepika’s ensemble, he said: “I do not understand this colour choice by Deepika Padukone, it’s so dull and bland and the backdrop matches it, it’s like plain bread – 0/10.” Turning to Alia’s outfit, he added: “As much as I love this colour, I hate the print and, I hate the silhouette, I hate the heels clinging on to her toes like cliffhanger, I hate the fact that she looks like an aunty, when she is not an aunty, she is the Alia Bhatt.”

His remarks, particularly calling Alia an "aunty" and labelling Deepika’s look as “plain bread” didn’t sit well with fans, who quickly rallied behind their favourite stars and slammed the influencer for his insensitive and misinformed comments. Alia and Deepika’s fans were quick to jump to their defense, taking to social media to call out Sufi’s tone-deaf critique. One fan corrected him, stating: “Alia is wearing the traditional Maharashtrian Paithani. It’s handwoven by artisans, and the draping style is an ode to the warrior culture of Maharashtra. It's a perfect outfit for Maharashtra Day. So please keep your half-knowledge to yourself.”

Another user added: “Alia looks great… Don’t know what happened to your eyes these days. Please change the glass if the glass isn’t glassing!” Many pointed out that Alia’s saree wasn’t printed as Sufi assumed, but meticulously handwoven, while Deepika’s look was praised for its clean silhouette and timeless elegance. “Deepika looks incredible!!! The silhouette of her outfit is amazing, she looks chic, clean, and gorgeous! You’re doing DP dirty :(,” wrote another user. Others slammed the influencer for being unnecessarily harsh: “Get your facts checked better and speak ONLY when you understand the culture BETTER.”

Alia Bhatt, always known for her versatile fashion sense, took a bold yet graceful step by donning a traditional Nauvari saree, a style native to Maharashtra. The custom Abu Jani Sandeep Khosla creation was a stunning nod to local culture, with Alia draping the saree in true Maharashtrian style. The saree itself was a handwoven Paithani, rich in heritage and intricate craftsmanship. Paired with a sleeveless blouse in soft pink, adorned with resham threadwork, pearls, and crystals, the outfit beautifully balanced simplicity with elegance. The threadwork, in hues of green, yellow, and white, made the blouse subtly shimmer under the spotlight. Alia completed the look with dewy makeup, soft smokey eyes, a green bindi, and a gajra-adorned hair bun. Her accessories included pearl and green-stone earrings, a statement ring, and minimalist styling.

Deepika Padukone, ever the symbol of elegance, chose a sand-toned kurta set by Masaba Gupta, dipped entirely in shades of beige and soft gold. Her outfit featured a long, straight-cut kurta with full sleeves, heavily embroidered with delicate floral motifs and tiny stones in complementary tones. The kurta was paired with loose-fitting salwar pants and a sheer dupatta with beautiful cutwork borders. She opted for natural makeup, soft blush, subtle highlights, and nude lips, while her hair was neatly tied in a bun. Her look was completed with light-tone open-toe heels and statement earrings, perfectly rounding off her minimalist, elegant vibe.

While opinions will always differ, the fiery fan support for Alia Bhatt and Deepika Padukone only proves that when fashion embraces culture with authenticity, it resonates far beyond the runway.