The newly-weds take a bow

She chose to wear heritage uncut diamond choker and jhumkas from the Sabyasachi Bridal Jewellery collection. Bollywood can play a major role in spreading awareness about Indian textiles and handlooms — Sabyasachi

So Sabyasachi did it again, this time dressing up actor Anushka Sharma like a Bengali bride on her boubhaat of sorts with a red Banarasi saree and heritage jewellery, hair tied up in a neat bun and girdled with white flowers. After all she is in her cricketer-husband Virat Kohli’s hometown. At the reception at Taj Palace on Thursday, Kohli complemented her not with matching tonalities but a black and white ensemble by the ace designer. The richly embroidered pashmina shawl thrown casually on one side did the trick.

“I don’t think Indian brides feel complete without wearing the colour red in one of their functions. Anushka decided to wear red on her reception. And much to my absolute delight, it would be a red Benarasi saree. From the bylanes of Peeli Kothi in Benaras. I was particularly excited about this look because I have seen an entire generation of Bengali women getting married in red Benarasi sarees. The red bindi, the sindoor and the mogras in her hair just made the look more potent and powerful. She chose to wear heritage uncut diamond choker and jhumkas from the Sabyasachi Bridal Jewellery collection. Bollywood can play a major role in spreading awareness about Indian textiles and handlooms. And I must say the occasion couldn’t be better. I know copies of this saree will flood the entire country in the next few months to come, which also means that a million weavers’ children will be back at school. All I can say is thank you Anushka!

“Virat chose to complement his new bride in a very subtle and elegant manner. He wore a black textured silk signature bandhgala with the house buttons in 18k gold and a white silk kurta with hand-woven brocade churidaar. He teamed it with mojris from the Sabyasachi accessories line and a hand-embroidered antique pashmina shawl from our ‘Kashmir Revival’ project.”

As the newly-weds looked lovingly at each other, VIPs, close friends and family attended the grand reception. This will be followed by the one in Mumbai on December 26.

Photos: Pankaj Kumar