This Designer's Work Featuring Aishwarya Rai Shines On The Academy's IG

Aishwarya Rai Bachchan is the latest Bollywood celebrity to be featured on the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences' official social media platforms. The Academy shared a clip from her 2008 hit film Jodha Akbar alongside a special announcement about an iconic costume from the movie.

This Designer's Work Featuring Aishwarya Rai Shines On The Academy's IG

In a post, the Academy revealed that Jodha’s red wedding lehenga, designed by Neeta Lulla, will be showcased in their prestigious COLOR IN MOTION exhibition at the Academy Museum. They wrote, “A lehenga fit for a queen, designed for the silver screen. In JODHA AKBAR (2008), Aishwarya Rai Bachchan’s red wedding lehenga is a feast for the eyes: vibrant zardozi embroidery, centuries-old craftsmanship, and a hidden gem—quite literally. Look closely, and you’ll spot a peacock, India’s national bird, made entirely of jewels. Neeta Lulla didn’t design a costume; she crafted a legacy. Step into history (and colour) at the Academy Museum's COLOR IN MOTION exhibition.”

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The video features iconic moments from Ashutosh Gowariker’s historical epic, highlighting Aishwarya Rai Bachchan’s portrayal of Jodha Bai and Hrithik Roshan’s role as Mughal Emperor Akbar. It also includes detailed shots of the lehenga as it is today, displayed on a mannequin, showcasing its intricate zardozi work and the exquisite peacock detail made of jewels.

Neeta Lulla’s work in Jodha Akbar remains a benchmark in costume design, blending historical authenticity with breathtaking artistry. Allegedly, the jewellery for Jodha Akbar's costumes was sourced from Tanishq, with reports suggesting that 200 craftsmen spent 600 days crafting 300 kilograms of gold and gemstone jewels. 

Aishwarya Rai's wedding set alone reportedly weighed 3.5 kilograms. The costumes, designed by Neeta Lulla, featured Zardozi and Kundan embroidery, while fabrics and footwear, including authentic Mojaris, were sourced from Delhi, Mumbai, and Jaipur. Lehenga, a symbol of cultural and cinematic heritage, now finds a place on an international platform, showcasing the richness of Indian craftsmanship.

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This announcement follows other Bollywood moments recently celebrated by the Academy. Earlier, they shared scenes from films like Bajirao Mastani featuring Deepika Padukone and clips of Shah Rukh Khan from Dilwale Dulhania Le Jayenge and Kabhi Khushi Kabhie Gham.