Re-wearing a wedding outfit is one of the smartest festive style moves, and Kriti Kharbanda just made the case for it. To mark the first day of Shardiya Navratri on October 11, 2026, the actor shared photos in a fiery orange sharara ensemble from her pre-wedding celebrations with Pulkit Samrat, the Free Press Journal reported.
"Navratri ka pehla din. Embodying the sacred energy of new beginnings, inner strength, and vita[lity]," she wrote, according to the same report.
Why orange on Day 1
The choice was not random. The first day of Shardiya Navratri is dedicated to Maa Shailputri, and orange is the colour associated with it, symbolising warmth, enthusiasm and positive energy, the Free Press Journal noted. News18 likewise described her coral-toned look as inspired by the spirit of Maa Shailputri. Many women follow the nine Navratri colours day by day, which makes a celebrity Day 1 look a ready-made style guide.
The outfit, detail by detail
According to the Free Press Journal, the sharara set featured flared pants and a matching blouse with a V-shaped neckline and sleeveless pattern. It was finished with a trail and an organza pallu draped on both sides, which added movement and lightness to the silhouette.
That combination is what keeps it from feeling heavy. A sharara has volume at the hem, so a fitted sleeveless blouse balances it on top. The sheer organza drapes add softness and, in photos, catch the light.
Then there is the jewellery. Instead of heavy gold, Kriti wore pieces made with tiny clusters of pearls, the Free Press Journal reported, including a hathphool, statement chandbali earrings and a small maang tikka. Pearls cool down a hot colour like orange and make the overall look feel fresh rather than bridal.
Her makeup stayed soft, with dewy skin, rosy cheeks and brown lips, and her hair was styled in a braid decorated with strings of pearls, according to the same report. The brown lip is a clever choice with orange: a red or bright coral lip could clash, while a warm brown grounds the look.
The throwback element is worth noting on its own. Celebrities increasingly repeat outfits from weddings and big events, and fans tend to respond warmly, because it makes a designer piece feel like part of a real wardrobe rather than a one-time costume. For Kriti, revisiting a look from her pre-wedding celebrations with Pulkit Samrat also gives the post a personal meaning: the start of Navratri, celebrated in an outfit tied to the start of her marriage. It is a sentimental choice as much as a stylish one.
Bollywood's Navratri moment
Kriti was one of several stars to share festive looks as Navratri began. Sara Ali Khan wore a royal blue and purple Bandhani lehenga to the Ambani family's Devi Shakti celebration, which we break down separately on The Cover Issue.
How to recreate Kriti Kharbanda's Navratri look
Pick an orange or coral sharara or lehenga with a fitted, sleeveless or short-sleeved blouse. Add a sheer organza dupatta, worn on one or both shoulders. Swap gold for pearl jewellery, with chandbalis as the statement piece and a delicate maang tikka. Keep the skin dewy, add a rosy blush and choose a brown or nude-brown lip. Finish with a braid, and if you are feeling festive, thread a few pearl strings through it.
And if you already own a wedding or sangeet outfit, take a cue from Kriti: Navratri is the perfect excuse to wear it again.
FAQ
What did Kriti Kharbanda wear on Navratri Day 1?
An orange sharara set from her pre-wedding celebrations with Pulkit Samrat, with flared pants, a V-neck sleeveless blouse and an organza pallu, according to the Free Press Journal.
What is the colour of Navratri Day 1?
Orange, associated with Maa Shailputri, according to the Free Press Journal's report on Shardiya Navratri 2026.
What jewellery did Kriti Kharbanda wear?
Pearl-cluster jewellery, including a hathphool, chandbali earrings and a small maang tikka.
When did Shardiya Navratri 2026 begin?
Kriti marked Day 1 on October 11, 2026.
Cover photo: Bollywood Hungama / Wikimedia Commons, CC BY 3.0
