Rishi Kapoor redefined the 70s and 80s style

From rocking oversized sunglasses in "Bobby" (1973) to effortlessly slipping into the period costumes of "Laila Majnu" (1976) to putting the blazers on the map in "Doosra Aadmi" (1977), actor Rishi Kapoor redefined sartorial finesse in Bollywood over decades.

Be it straight-out-of-the-school lad attires in "Bobby" or his iconic bell bottoms in "Hum Kisise Kum Nahin" (1977) or sweaters in "Chandni" (1989) or the charming cross-dressing act in "Rafoo Chakkar" (1975), he truly ushered in a distinctive style vocabulary for several generations of audiences.

Designer Manish Malhotra shared, "He was my most favourite actor and his films and songs are irreplaceable. He had a strong inherent sense of style - be it his bell bottoms or oversized sunglasses. For the classic song, "Oh Hansini" featuring him and Moushumi Chatterjee, he had picked up a pair of black pants from Brussels and later on, he realised that they were actually ladies' pants. In the film, "Hum Kisise Kum Nahin", the red locket heart he wore with the white outfit was borrowed from a friend of his. All in all, his style was blasé and enigmatic."

Designer Abu Jani hails him as an extraordinary actor and a youth icon of the 70s. "The film "Bobby" established him as a romantic hero, complete with the angst, defiance, rebellion and mad passion of a teenage lover. His fashion in the movie too set standards of hipness. From the tight shirts and flared jeans to seriously stylish eye wear. Something every young boy in India made their own standard of style. The silver outfit he wore in "Om Shanti Om" will be forever etched in our memory. His sequined jackets and caps in "Hum Kissi se Kam Nahin"," said Abu.

Designer Suneet Varma said, "His polka dotted shirt in "Bobby" became the go-to outfit for every romeo in India. He truly made polka dots relevant for men of that era. His oversized mufflers in "Khel Khel Mein" (1975) remain epochal. Also, the love affair between him and denims is worth mentioning here. His short leather jackets, argyle print sweaters, wearing ankle-length boots with bell bottoms and accessorising with big broad belts and brooches, his beret caps and scarves remain etched in everyone's mind. When he was younger, he had a preppy, old English boy look and he would sport slim ties and then his style just evolved. I could still picture him dancing in "Karz" and one could tell you were not looking at a star, it did not look like that he had been outfitted for a movie. There was a sense of youthfulness to his dressing," said Suneet.

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