TOI: Tellys best & worst dressed-Kratika

Fashion designers handpick the best dressed bahus and betis of small screen and suggest doable makeovers for the not so trendy ones. TOI takes notes

The (almost) DIVAS

Kritika Kamra (Kuch Toh Log Kahenge)Kritika Kamra as the young medical intern, Dr Nidhi, of Kuch Toh Log Kahenge, flaunts trendy Indo-westerns and is pretty close to a real life urban professional (we are only talking of her wardrobe). With long silken tresses and simple, matching accessories, she looks almost convincing in her screen role.

Designerspeak: Priyal Prakash says, "Kritika's bright cotton churidars suit her. Her wardrobe has a contemporary yet traditional Touch, typical in middle class girls. Her form-fitting kurtas have an interesting mix of colours and fabrics which are in vogue."

Rucha Hasbanis (Saath Nibhana Saathiya) Do bad girls make the cut? This one does. Rucha steals the show as the manipulative Rashi of Saath Nibhana Saathiya, draped in classy chiffons, long silky hair and minimalistic eye makeup.

Designerspeak: Archana Kochhar says, "Rucha looks ethereal and elegant in sarees - she carries them with grace and is a perfect representation of a young Gujarati bahu who looks good in bright colours, and bling."

Shraddha Arya (Main Lakshmi Tere Aangan Ki) Model turned actress Shraddha shows us how even middle-class female protagonists don't have to look like behenjis. As the starry-eyed Lakshmi of Main Lakshmi Tere Aangan Ki, Shraddha Sports trendy, see-through, sheer salwarSuits inspired by Madhuri Dixit's Dil Toh Pagal Hai look with very little make-up.

Designerspeak: Sabah Khan says, "I absolutely love Shraddha's outfits. Her outfits are mostly in chiffon and are in pastel shades with light embroidery which make her look feminine and delicate."

Mouli Ganguly (Kya Huaa Tera Vaada) Another classic example of a vamp who outshines the leading lady. Draped in short skirts teamed with metallic blousons, sleek black pumps, neatly combed hair, with bright red lip gloss, Mouli as Anushka in Kya Huaa Tera Vaada, is a perfect picture of urban chic. No wonder the hero's smitten with her!

Designerspeak: Archana Kochhar says, "Mouli's on screen style is appealing and elegant. The styling for her character is realistic. She carries all her outfits really well. She has the Indian charm and beauty, I feel she should try Indian outfits on the show too. Her make-up and hairdos are subtle, which do justice to her character - today's modern corporate woman."

Sakshi Tanwar (Bade Achhe Laggte Hai) Here's one character who sports outfits a 30-something married woman is expected to. Chiffons, nets and georgette sarees in pastel shades, light make-up and only a mangalsutra make Priya of Bade Achhe Laggte Hai seem like a real person.

Designerspeak: Digvijay Singh says, "The kind of clothes Sakshi wears suits her character. She looks convincing in her sarees which highlight her Indian features. Even her night wears are elegant and not flashy."

In need of makeovers

Pratyusha Banerjee (Balika Vadhu - Kacchi Umar Ke Pakke Rishte) Her screen character, Anandi Balika Vadhu..., might have evolved from tearjerking bahu to independent woman, but Pratyusha's outfits haven't changed at all. She's still holding onto to her over bright bandhni chaniya-cholis, ghunghat firmly placed on her head, complete with maang tikka and heavy jewellery. An example of how too much bling can create a jarring visual note.

Designerspeak: Digvijay Singh says, "She looks the same all day and night. As someone who lives in Rajasthan which is a hot state, I feel she should wear outfits which don't have much bling. She should replace her chaniya cholis with sarees and needs to go easy on bright colours and chunky jewellery."

Akanksha Singh (Na Bole Tum Na Maine Kuch Kaha) In real life young professionals sport wearable clothes, but in soaps, they do the opposite. That explains why Akanksha as Megha in Na Bole Tum Na Maine Kuch Kaha, who's a journalist wears crumpled cotton sarees draped sloppily, with a tight bun and a sulky pout. Journos from small towns should take real serious offence to this reel caricature!

Designerspeak: Purvi Doshi says, "Khadi might work for her. Akanksha should wear collared shirts, Chinese collar tops or tunics with pockets. She can also try lovely hand-woven stoles with little Indian embroideries on it. Her sarees can be replaced with kalidaar dresses. She can try silver antique jewellery and a less conservative hairdo."

Deepika Singh (Diya Aur Baati Hum) Yet another living example of a fashion disaster. Deepika as Sandhya of Diya Aur Baati Hum, is meant to be a young, ambitious woman who wants to be financially independent, so what's with those hideous and garish sarees, the sullen look and dangling mangalsutra?

Designerspeak: Purvi Doshi says, "That Sandhya is an educated girl needs to be reflected in her dressing. She has to look simple yet sophisticated. Nice bright colours in block printed sarees or hand woven sarees, with elegant borders should be Deepika's pick. She should use Maheshwaris or Chanderis to look simple and elegant. Those funny necklines on her cholis are a big no no. She needs to change her jewellery and opt for studs, elegant pendants with thin chains. The look has to be contemporary." .

Jiaa Manek (Saath Nibhana Saathiya) Jiaa as Gopi in Saath Nibhana Saathiya effortlessly carries the badly dressed bahu tag neatly on her shoulders. Clad in bright sarees, her pallu steadily poised on her head, shiny pink or red lips, heavy jewellery, she's an eyesore.

Designerspeak: Priyal Prakash says, "Jiaa can underplay the bling in her sarees and drape them in the 'ulta pallu style' to look contemporary. Her blouses need to be well fitted and trendier."

Kratika Sengar (Punar Vivah - Zindagi Milegi Dobara) Kratika as Aarti of Punar Vivah... takes her newly married status to Heart and flaunts the bling over much! She sports garish crepe sarees in boring single shades and inelegant flats, with peach lipstick and a heavy mangalsutra!

Designerspeak: Sabah Khan says, "Kratika's dressing style is OTT with all the bling. She should wear sarees with bright borders and avoid heavy jewellery. She would look amazing in a moreSubtle get up."