Srijita Ghosh's Cinematic Dream: Becoming a Bhansali Bride at Khelat Bhavan
For many brides, wedding attire is a last-minute selection, but for fashion enthusiast Srijita Ghosh, her reception ensemble was a vision cultivated over years of admiration for cinematic opulence and traditional Indian aesthetics. Inspired specifically by the character Parvati from Sanjay Leela Bhansali's Devdas, Srijita meticulously planned a look that embodied Indian maximalism, rich textiles, intricate zardozi embroidery, and heirloom-style jewelry.
The Parvati Inspiration: A Natural Fit for Historic Khelat Bhavan
Srijita's reference point remained steadfastly Parvati from Devdas, whose aesthetic she describes as a perfect balance of strength and grace. "Somewhere in my mind, I always imagined myself as a Bhansali bride," Srijita reveals. "Paro's look—with its jewel tones, regal drapes, and layered jewelry—provided the ideal foundation. With our reception at the historic Khelat Bhavan in North Kolkata, the Parvati-inspired theme felt like a natural extension of the venue's old-world architecture and atmosphere."
Every detail of the outfit was conceived in dialogue with Khelat Bhavan's grandeur, ensuring the ensemble harmonized with the lighting and architectural nuances of the traditional bonedi bari (ancestral home).
The Midnight-Blue Masterpiece: Collaboration with Designer Jigar Mali
The realization of this vision came through months of close collaboration with designer Jigar Mali, whom Srijita regards as an elder brother. Mali envisioned her in a deep midnight blue, crafting one of his heaviest saris to date. The nearly seven-meter-long saree featured elaborate zardozi embroidery across the pallu and borders, paired with a fully embroidered full-sleeve blouse and a matching shawl, allowing for a dramatic ghomta (veil).
For her husband, filmmaker Soubik Debnath, Mali designed an antique-gold embroidered ivory angrakha with a dhoti and deep blue shawl, creating a regal contrast that echoed Srijita's ensemble while maintaining its distinct masculine elegance.
"When everything was complete—the saree, the ghomta, the jewelry, the makeup—I looked in the mirror and felt transported to another time," Srijita shares, emphasizing that the look transcended mere cinematic recreation to become a celebration of heritage, femininity, and storytelling through fashion.
Vintage Bengali Aesthetics: The Wedding Day Ensemble
Rooted in the vintage Bengali bride aesthetic of cinema's golden era, Srijita's wedding day look focused on quiet yet striking elegance. She wore a dark maroon Benarasi sari with a customized solid zero-neck blouse for a classic, understated silhouette, complemented by a long flowing veil that added drama and nostalgia.
Soubik's attire, a hand-embroidered sandalwood tussar kurta with a dhoti by Anupam Chatterjee, offered a soft texture and traditional cut that created a regal yet grounded look, perfectly balancing the bride's ensemble.
Jewelry Story: Power, Divinity, and Heritage
Custom pieces from Earthaments, B Sircar Johuree, Jolshaghar, and Gahane, along with gifted heirloom-style accents, reflected the richness of traditional Bengali bridal adornment. Rimple Narula, founder of RAH Jewels, explains, "When Srijita spoke about embodying Parvati, we focused on jewelry that felt powerful, divine, and deeply rooted in heritage."
The bride wore a Patiala Peepal Patti choker and statement earrings from the Peepal Patti collection, where the peepal leaf motif symbolizes life and continuity. This was layered with the Vraj Ratan Rani Haar, evoking temple grandeur, and completed with traditional haathphools (hand jewelry) and a mathapatti (headpiece) crafted in gold-infused silver. Soubik complemented the look with a three-layered pearl necklace paired with his ivory angrakha.
Hair, Makeup, and Draping: Old-World Royalty Meets Modern Glamour
Makeup artist Prasenjit Biswas describes the aesthetic as "old-world royal Bengali elegance with contemporary styling." The hair was styled in a sleek pulled-back base to create a structured silhouette, while the makeup introduced a modern edge.
Dark smoky eyes added depth and intensity, defined brows and kohl-rimmed eyes crafted a regal character, and sculpted bronzed skin enhanced Srijita's natural dusky complexion. Nude-brown lips balanced the dramatic eye makeup, with strategic highlighting giving the skin a luminous glow that complemented the gold jewelry and embroidery.
When all elements converged, the jewelry not only enhanced the ensemble's richness but also reflected the grace and strength associated with Parvati, achieving what Srijita envisioned: a cinematic, old-film Bengali bridal look that blends opulence, nostalgia, and personal authenticity.
