Fashion Forecasting: Couture, Culture and Threads of Meaning in Param Sundari

Sonu Nigam, the emotional undercurrent of Bollywood’s golden romantic era, once gave voice to Shah Rukh Khan’s yearning, making audiences believe in the alchemy of love and its otherworldly effect across a crowded room. Bollywood’s song-and-dance sequences are often mocked for their spontaneity —think heroes and heroines randomly breaking into song on a mountain—but when Sonu Nigam sings, these surreal elements feel perfectly justified. When he sings, the surreal feels sincere. His return in the film "Param Sundari"'s 'Pardesiya' music video, alongside the costume design of Sheetal Iqbal Sharma, heralds a revival of that erstwhile emotive purity, reimagined for a contemporary India that is young, aspirational, and fiercely self-aware.

Back then, SRK’s onscreen persona, draped in outfits that resonated with the NRI market, defined an era of romance. Indian audiences, particularly the middle class, were less inclined to splurge on star-inspired fashion, while the affluent were too pragmatic to emulate celebrities. Fast forward to today, a new wave of self-care, personalized services, and individualism—rooted in the Western idea of placing the individual above all—has reshaped how romance is portrayed in Bollywood. The filmmakers cleverly released the music video before the trailer, hinting that the song might be the film’s centerpiece, potentially outshining the story itself. 

Given my skepticism about Siddharth and Jhanvi’s acting (an unpopular opinion, I know), and Jhanvi’s heavily altered appearance due to plastic surgeries, the costume design becomes a saving grace, carrying the film’s aesthetic appeal. The costume design mirrors this shift, drawing inspiration from Kerala’s vibrant palette for Jhanvi’s looks, with every shade of her sari evoking the state’s floral beauty,it’s rooted, regional, and real. In the 90s, Bollywood’s costume design thrived on contrast—SRK in blue, Kajol in yellow—symbolizing distinct gender roles and the dramatic “opposites attract” romance. 

Today, Param Sundari showcases analogous color schemes, with Param and Sundari in similar hues, reflecting this generation’s desire to connect through shared values, psychological synergy, and dating-app-level relatability while still yearning to complete each other. The costume designer, through astute fashion forecasting, has predicted this shift, aligning with modern trends where couples prioritize vibe checks and emotional compatibility, as seen on dating apps. Men’s fashion, now blooming with bold yet cohesive styles, further enhances this nuanced portrayal of love, seamlessly blending contemporary aesthetics with timeless romantic ideals. J

hanvi’s deep pink kurti with white contrasting prints, paired with a small gajra in her open, curly hair, exudes a warm, approachable South Indian vibe. It feels like the first spark of connection between Param and Sundari. Later in the music video, Siddharth sports a red tee under a cinnamon brown jacket, with cream pants and a hidden black thread necklace—a nod to the Indian boy who tucks away traditional accessories to impress. Jhanvi’s teal bangles contrast strikingly with his muted tones, her hands resting on his shoulders for a visually captivating moment. I’m already eyeing those bangles for myself! Her transparent gel nails and a single statement ring scream simplicity, while a black kalava thread on her wrist grounds her in middle-class relatability. Later set against the lush green backdrop of a dense forest — a setting deeply rooted in Indian literary tradition from *Meghaduta* to the *Ramayana* — this look evokes a timeless, almost mythical romance. 

Sid appears in a lime yellow tee layered with a white jacket, subtly blending modern casual with the earthy surroundings. Janhvi wears a flowing yellow chiffon saree, her drape soft and ethereal, echoing forest nymph imagery. While her earrings are understated — they could’ve been bolder — the simplicity might be an intentional nod to nature’s quiet elegance. hanvi channels Bollywood’s iconic leading ladies (think Deepika in Yeh Jawaani Hai Deewani) with a square-neckline, sleeveless pink kurti featuring traditional prints, paired with rani pink churis. Siddharth’s peach shirt complements her, creating a wholesome, harmonious look. In a beautifully evolving love story told through clothes and color, the next four looks explore subtle contrasts and emotional textures. 

**Look 5: Dinner Table Realism** features Janhvi in a white floral jumpsuit paired with yellow bangles and golden heels, exuding her rooted femininity, while Sid wears a muted green tee layered with a dark green overshirt, green pants, and brown shoes — his discomfort with her spicy heritage subtly mirrored in the earthy tones and layered textures. **Look 6: Spring & Monsoon** captures a tender seasonal romance, as Janhvi dons a fresh green striped sari with a pink blouse, her soft side bangs and familiar brown sling bag grounding her character. Sid contrasts her with ivory pants and a sea-green shirt — her spring warmth versus his monsoon coolness creating a symbolic yet romantic duality. 

In **Look 7: Unexpected Fashion**, Sid takes a risk in a white denim jacket and lime green tee — a questionable combo saved only by his charm — while Jhanvi stuns in a purple sari and lime green blouse, adorned with blue bangles. The picnic setting of dragon fruit, an orange mat, and muted cushions evokes a whimsical, sensual innocence. Finally, **Look 8: Sunset Serenade** channels cinematic nostalgia, with Sid in a black gunjee and ombre blue shirt, and Janhvi glowing in an orange sari and blue blouse — a poetic fire-and-water contrast that echoes the visual language of *Suraj Hua Maddham*, evoking warmth, distance, and longing under a fading sun.