From bahus to bombshells! - Article

You probably thought they were good enough only to shed copious tears and pose as the 'yogya-bahu' every beta loves taking home. But one look at their off screen avatars is enough to shatter all stereotypes. Meet the svelte' bahus' of the telly world who're all set to sizzle in micro minis.

Sans their gaudy, traditional garb, they're the faces hogging cover space of an international beauty magazine. Cover kanyas – Ganga (Shilpa Sakhlani), Tulsi (Gautami Kapoor), Shruti (Tina Parekh) and Nimmo (Sanjeeda Sheikh) have proved that they've 'finally arrived'!

'Supah-supah stylish' is the phrase used by fashion designer Ranna Gill who created a white mini dress for Reshmi Ghosh, aka Bhumi of Kyunki ... and a green wrap-over jersey dress for Tina. Ask her how the gals faired and she says, "They looked simply hot! If the cover didn't say they were from TV, I'd think it was a gathering of some great looking women achievers from different professions." Now aren't they, Ranna?

Babes Brigade
Now if you're thinking this was just a one-offish make-over for the glossy, we get you the style fundas of these real life bombshells, who are quite the style icons offscreen.

Tina Parekh aka Shruti of Kahani Ghar Ghar Ki , for instance loves partying the night away in her lil' black dress which makes her 'look slim.' She gushes, "I think bombshells were always bombshells, but they turned into bahus for a while. Now it's time when the real bombshells behind the bahus are coming to the fore and boy are we lovin' it!" she confesses.

Gautami Kapoor, the erstwhile Tusli of Kyunki ...adds, "We're pretty hot! It's just on TV we're mostly portrayed as sari clad. Otherwise, I'm quite a jeans and tee kinda person. I love getting into sexy, short dresses while partying."

For the sassy Nach Baliye winner Sanjeeda Sheikh, her fashion statement changes every 15-20 days. "I love wearing a well-fitted denim teamed with a dressy kurti for a casual evening out. For a more formal do, nothing beats the magic of a flowing gown," says Sanjeeda.

So how was the stint as a cover babe? Tina reminisces, "The saris and salwar kameezes are ensembles I'd been sulking in since ages on TV. Being surrounded by so many designer labels and brands for the cover shoot was like a dream come true. It was almost the Devil wears Prada syndrome happening to me."

Talking about the bahus turned babes, one can't afford to miss Jasveer Kaur, aka Pavitra of Ghar ki Lakshmi Betiyaan and Rucha Gujrati of Bhabhi fame who are a hot property in Mumbai's party circuit. Flaunting taut curves, they set the style meter ablaze.

How can we forget Jasveer shaking her booty in a figure hugging jeans on her birthday showing off her hot tattoos? So, what's her personal style mantra? "I love wearing skirts and dresses with high boots. And jeans with a comfy T-shirt is a perfect choice for a casual outing," she says.

Rucha too is a jeans and ganji gal who considers her on-screen saris as, "merely a uniform that I'm supposed to wear at work. When I'm partying, I love girly dresses. When I'm out I'm a different Rucha," she states.

Accessorize Right!
Where accessories are concerned, these bahus prefer a more minimalist look off the screen. "On screen, it depends on the character we are essaying. A bahu from a well-to-do family has to look like a bahu. Off-screen, one can spot three rings on my fingers and three piercings in my ear. Apart from those diamonds, I don't like wearing any chunky stuff," says the diamond lover Jasveer.

"Neck-pieces are a big no no for me. I prefer keeping my neck bare and flaunting danglers," avers Mouni Roy, Krishna Tulsi of Kyunki ...

What about makeup which is no less than their second skin on TV? Quite contrary from their 'splashed in the colour-kit' soap opera look, in real life they promote the 'nude-look.' "I don't wear any make-up, apart from a little gloss and kohl. I rather let my skin breathe," reveals Mouni. For Jasveer, it's only a splash of mascara. "Just a dab of lipstick and some blush and I'm raring to go. That's my party mantra," quips Jasveer.

Any head turners till date? "Of course we turn heads! I have this little tube dress that attracts lots of attention, thanks to its awesome fit," reveals Rucha. Sarah Khan of Bidaai adds, "Style is about carrying an outfit off really well. I can carry off even the shortest of dresses with as much lan as I carry off a sari. If that's daring, then I am!"

Image anxieties?
The telly babes are hot stuff on-screen and can only get hotter off-screen. So do audiences welcome this image transition? "Honestly I don't think about my image until I'm wearing something obscene. I believe my audiences will be excited to see the real Gautami when she's not on screen. It makes for a pleasant change," quips Gautami.

"The first reaction that I get when people see me is off screen is, 'you're so thin!' But they like me at the same time. The most common suggestion that I get is, 'don't do any negative roles, as you're so sweet,'" informs Jasveer.

However Sanjeeda believes, "My image is no more linked to my on screen characters. Audiences have seen the real Sanjeeda on a reality show; they've already identified with me and relate to my real self. So what we do and wear off screen shouldn't have any negative effect on the audiences."

Nim Sood, Balaji's stylist says the on-screen images of serial queens are an extension of their off-screen self to an extent. "You can never make Rakshanda Khan wear something skimpy and strappy, irrespective of the fact that she can carry off a gown, a sari or a dress with equal lan. So keeping their real personality, their body structure and their comfort levels in mind, we have to design for them. It feels great to know that these women know what suits them and what doesn't. You'll never find Reshmi Ghosh clad in short tops; as she knows she has a heavy bottom, where as, she looks stunning in a sari with a backless or a strappy blouse. "

So do these ladies score over their Bollywood counterparts?
Answers, Keertan Adyantha GM, EVP, Star Plus, "We have a far reaching influence on the culture, tradition, fashion and styles Indian women adopt. Our ladies are all accomplished actresses and would put any Bollywood actress to shame with their histrionic abilities."

"Coming into audiences' homes, we have become almost like their family members. So there can be no better choice than us when it comes to whom the audiences identify, love and relate with," answers Tina.

Brand Bahu
The serial look has a popular reach. No wonder brides are going gaga to incorporate the look into their trousseau. From Kyunki ..., Kahani and Prerna saris to Kavyanjali jewellery, there's a telly touch to their D-day. Our bahus are already becoming brands not just in India, but overseas as well.

"When I started designing for serial characters, I never expected they'll become so popular. For women audiences, these serials are like 'home-shopping haunts'. They watch their clothes and jewellery week after week and gradually start following them since they are wearable and comfortable. There starts the brand building process," concludes Nim.