The Era of Unapologetic Glamour
Bollywood’s fascination with the 90s isn’t fading anytime soon, and Pooja Hegde is the latest star to wax nostalgic about the decade’s iconic style. The actress, who is gearing up for her next film Hai Jawani Toh Ishq Hona Hai, recently shared her thoughts on what made 90s Bollywood fashion stand out from today’s curated looks. According to Pooja, the biggest difference was the sheer confidence with which actors carried even the most outrageous outfits.
“90s Bollywood fashion had personality,” she said. “Nobody was trying to look subtle. Everything was dramatic, colourful and completely committed to its zany world.” She pointed out that actors back then weren’t chasing trends or trying to be ‘cool’—they were simply embracing the joy of dressing up for the screen. That sense of fun, she believes, is why audiences still feel nostalgic about those looks today.
Salman’s Scarf Era and Karisma’s Neon Magic
Pooja singled out two stars who defined the fashion of the 90s: Salman Khan and Karisma Kapoor. Referring to Salman’s iconic scarf phase—seen in songs like ‘Chunari Chunari’—the actress said the superstar made the accessory his own. “Only Salman sir could make a scarf feel like it belongs to him,” she remarked. “That entire phase was iconic because it looked effortless even though it was so stylised. We have paid homage to it in our film.”
As for Karisma, Pooja called her one of the defining fashion icons of the decade. Known for her vibrant colour combinations and bold silhouettes, Lolo’s style was fearless. “Karisma could wear neon green pants with a bright orange top and somehow still look amazing,” Pooja said. “That confidence made the styling work. Today, people would overthink those looks, but back then, actors wore everything with full conviction.”
Govinda’s ‘Complete Madness’ That Became Legendary
No conversation about 90s Bollywood fashion is complete without Govinda, and Pooja saved her biggest compliment for the dance icon. She described his style as “complete madness” but emphasised that it was unforgettable precisely because of that over-the-top energy. “Govinda fashion was complete madness, but that’s what made it unforgettable. There was joy in it. Nobody cared about looking ‘cool’ all the time,” she said with a laugh.
Pooja believes that this sense of fun is one of the key reasons audiences continue to feel nostalgic about 90s Bollywood fashion. Unlike today’s carefully curated trends, the styling of that era was bold, experimental and designed primarily to entertain. With her upcoming film reportedly paying tribute to that spirit, fans can expect a dose of retro glamour on the big screen soon.