Janhvi Kapoor’s Paris Saree Showcases India’s Rare Bengal Muslin Heritage

Actress Janhvi Kapoor brought the elegance of traditional Indian textiles to the global fashion stage with her striking saree at the prestigious BoF 500 gala in Paris. Fashion stylist Rhea Kapoor has now revealed the craftsmanship and heritage behind the ensemble, which celebrated India's rich muslin and khadi traditions.

Janhvi wore an ethereal saree made from 460-count Bengal Muslin, a rare and finely woven fabric that Rhea described as being "woven like air". Sharing photographs of the actress on Instagram, Rhea highlighted the fabric's unique qualities and its deep-rooted connection with Indian textile craftsmanship.

The muslin used for the saree was Khud-Rang, meaning unbleached, and is also known by traditional names such as Baft-E-Hawa, Shabnami and Chandani. Describing the material as "the truest form of luxury", Rhea emphasised that the Muslin Khadi was woven entirely in India.

The ensemble was designed by Pankaj S. Heritage and featured elaborate sleeves adorned with polki diamonds, garnets and emeralds. Saraafa tassels, along with delicate Kiran and Resham fringes, added further richness to the intricate detailing.

Janhvi's off-white six-yard saree offered a distinctive blend of traditional elegance and contemporary styling. Its fluid drape was complemented by an unusual cascade of gold embellishments, pearls, shells and decorative tassels, creating a striking visual contrast against the understated fabric.

She paired the saree with a matching bustier-style blouse featuring delicate straps and a sweetheart neckline, giving the traditional silhouette a modern fashion-forward appeal.

In her Instagram post, Rhea shared the details of the ensemble, drawing attention to the exceptional quality of Bengal Muslin and the intricate handwork that brought together traditional Indian craftsmanship and contemporary couture.

Janhvi's appearance at the Paris gala highlighted the growing presence of Indian textiles and heritage-inspired designs on international fashion platforms. Her choice of a homegrown fabric also brought attention to the country's rich weaving traditions and the craftsmanship behind some of its finest textiles.

The actress has frequently experimented with traditional Indian silhouettes while embracing contemporary styling, often choosing creations by Indian designers for major public appearances.

Meanwhile, Janhvi recently found herself at the centre of a controversy after an AI-generated video featuring her and actor Jr NTR, based on their song 'Chuttamalle' from 'Devara: Part 1', circulated on social media. The digitally manipulated video raised concerns about the misuse of artificial intelligence and prompted criticism from several members of the film industry. The content was subsequently taken down.

Actors Chiranjeevi, Jr NTR and Vijay Deverakonda were among those who condemned the misuse of AI-generated content and expressed support for Janhvi.