Not sari: Kangana Ranaut's gown at National Awards wows designers

Actor Kangana Ranaut made a bold fashion statement at the 62nd National Awards on Sunday. Instead of going by the book and wearing a traditional outfit, the 28-year-old wore a body-hugging gown. Kangana bagged the Best Actress Award for her role in Queen (2014). The outfit was by Bibhu Mohapatra.

Actor Kangana Ranaut made a bold fashion statement at the 62nd National Awards on Sunday. Instead of going by the book and wearing a traditional outfit, the 28-year-old wore a body-hugging gown. Kangana bagged the Best Actress Award for her role in Queen (2014).



The actor’s lilac attire was designed by New York-based Indian designer Bibhu Mohapatra, whose collection was worn by US first lady Michelle Obama during her India visit earlier this year. The dress had a long cape and a slit at the back. The actor completed the look with her hair tied up in a bun and dark maroon lipstick.

Kangana-Ranaut-accepts-National-Award-from-President-Pranab-Mukherjee-PTI-photo

The fashion fraternity is impressed with the deviation from the norm. "Kangana represents the face of modern India, where a woman will wear whatever she wants. She’s young, talented, has her roots firmly in place, and is getting awarded precisely because she is exceptional. Although I found the garment a bit odd, she owned the look and turned up nicely," says designer Rina Dhaka.

Designer Namrata Joshipura also gives the look a thumbs up. "I admire people who carve a niche for themselves. By wearing a western outfit by an Indian-origin designer, Kangana was expressing her personal style, not just doing what was expected of her."



Watch: The dress Kangana Ranaut wore to National Awards that's become talk of the town

In the past, most actors including Vidya Balan and Priyanka Chopra have worn a sari at the event.



(With inputs from Arpita Kala)