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One of Bollywood's charm lies in its constant effort to engage its viewer. More often than not, it involves a whole lot of eye candy -- from dipped-in-glamour actors to their ever-changing costumes.
Still, there are some few occasions when, owing to script or treatment, uniformity takes precedence over variety. And so we have a protagonist appearing in the same outfit throughout the film, associating our memory of the popularly enacted character with his/her clothes.
This is especially true in the case of villains. Be it Gabbar Singh's military green fatigues with buttoned sleeves in Sholay-- which inspired the look of Saif Ali Khan's Langda Tyagi in Omkara and Akshay Kumar's Bachchan Pandey in Tashan or Mogambo's gold-encrusted suit in Mr India.
Iconic wardrobe of baddies aside, lead players like Anil Kapoor and Urmila Matondkar too have survived an entire movie, or almost, in one attire.
Go ahead, have a look.
Kareena Kapoor in Chameli
The Tashan star may love her designer numbers. But for her titular role in Chameli, where she plays a streetwalker, Kareena Kapoor went all out for authenticty's sake.
Sporting a cheap, pink sari paired with a flashy printed blue blouse and loud make-up, the actress looked nothing like her dazzling avatars in films like Kabhi Khushi Kabhie Gham or Jab We Met.
The Kapoor girl bagged a Filmfare Critics' Award for her earnest effort as the spirited, good-hearted sex worker in this one-night's tale.
mitabh Bachchan in Sarkar
Big B's worn a whole lot of costumes, from Yaarana to Shahenshah, which when went on to attain classic status.
For Ram Gopal Varma's tribute to The Godfather, however, AB affirms the intense and intimidating persona of his on-screen alter ego in a perennial black kurta and gold-bordered lungi, occasionally wrapping himself with a pristine white stole.
Rajesh Khanna in Bawarchi
After a long-lasting love affair with bandh galas and tight trousers, Rajesh Khanna slips into Bawarchi mode for Hrishikesh Mukherjee's endearing classic.
The former superstar keeps it simple in khaki brown shirt, rolled up sleeves, knee-length folded
Nanda in Ittefaq
Edge-of-the-seat drama ensues in a span of less than 24 hours in Yash Chopra's murder mystery, Ittefaq.
Obviously, there's no scope for songs or dancing around trees.
Instead you have a sultry Nanda clad in a turquoise blue sari, playing the reluctant host(age) to criminal-on-the-run Rajesh Khanna, till, of course, the shocking climax is revealed.
Urmila Matondkar in Kaun
Taking off from Ittefaq, Ram Gopal Varma's thriller, too, unfolds through one rainy, ominous night.
And so, Urmila Matondkar, who wore a different shade of sari in every frame of Tu maange dil in Aflatoon, sticks to a virginal white front-buttoned slit dress for the active-most part of Kaun.
Shah Rukh Khan, Hey! Ram
From Om Shanti Om to Knight Riders to Kya Aap Paanchi Paas Se Tez Hain, Shah Rukh Khan has an outfit for every occasion.
But for his extended special appearance as Amjad Ali Khan in Kamal Hassan's Hey Ram, SRK settles for a white pathan suit, black vest and turban.
John Abraham in Taxi No 9 2 11
Things go from bad to awry for John Abraham in Milan Luthria's Taxi No 9 2 11.
A pin-striped white suit (discounting the Ek nazar track), is all that keeps him constant company, through the-day-when-everything-went-wrong ordeal.
Ajay Devgan in Kaal
Black pathan suit. Black shawl. Black kohl. And a resolute staff.
The actor turned director keeps it all black for his dark, devilish turn in the spooky jungle caper, Kaal, produced by Karan Johar and directed by first-timer, Soham Shah.
Naseeruddin Shah in Chamatkar
Bollywood ghosts don't have access to designer wardrobes. And so they have to do with one measly outfit all through.
Naseeruddin Shah didn't seem to mind that much as the good-humoured bhoot-seeking-justice in Chamatkar.
The powerhouse performer is flamboyance personified in a orange overcoat, brown suit, black hat and silk scarf.
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Kumkum Bhagya
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