Every festive season has a look that sets the tone, and this Navratri, Sara Ali Khan is a strong early contender. At the Ambani family's "Devi Shakti" celebration in Mumbai on October 10, 2026, the actor wore a royal blue and deep purple Bandhani lehenga set that, as Aaj Tak put it, stole the whole gathering.
The occasion: Swadesh's first anniversary
According to Aaj Tak, the Ambani family hosted the event to mark the first anniversary of their brand Swadesh, and it drew names from business and Bollywood, all in their festive best. The evening was held around the start of Navratri, which made it one of the first big festive red carpets of the season.
The lehenga, in detail
Aaj Tak reported that the set mixed traditional textile craft with modern styling. The Bandhani, the tie-dye technique associated with Gujarat and Rajasthan, came in royal blue and deep purple, with fine zari, gota-patti and traditional threadwork.
The top was a sleeveless halter-neck crop blouse, embroidered with fine mirror work, and backless, per the same report. It was paired with a flared, full lehenga and a draped dupatta with a metallic fringe, carried gracefully over one shoulder.
The combination is what makes it feel current. Bandhani and gota-patti are classic festive elements, but a high halter neck and an open back push the silhouette towards cocktail wear, which is why the look works for a party as well as a puja.
The colour story matters as well. Royal blue and deep purple are less common Bandhani choices than the classic red, yellow and green, so the set stands out in a room full of festive brights. The two cool tones also flatter warm skin and photograph richly under evening lights. And because the dots of Bandhani create a natural all-over texture, the mirror work and gota-patti can sit on top without the look becoming busy. It is a lesson in letting a traditional craft lead, then modernising only the cut.
Hair and makeup
To balance the heavy outfit, Sara kept her beauty simple: nude, glowing makeup, light kajal and a soft lipstick, Aaj Tak reported. Her hair was in a neat bun with a golden latkan hanging at the back, a small, traditional detail that shows off the backless blouse.
Sara's Navratri greeting
Sara also wished her followers with a separate set of festive photos. Tupaki reported that she shared an image of herself looking over her shoulder in an ornate purple and gold ensemble, with a mirror-work blouse and an elaborate gold back necklace, captioned "Happy Navratri everyone." Both looks lean into jewel-tone purples, which suggests a deliberate festive palette this year.
She is not the only star dressing up for the season. Kriti Kharbanda marked Day 1 by re-wearing her wedding orange sharara, which we break down in "Kriti Kharbanda Re-Wore Her Wedding Orange Sharara for Navratri Day 1 — and It Is the Festive Look to Copy."
How to get Sara Ali Khan's Bandhani look
Choose a Bandhani lehenga in a jewel tone such as royal blue, purple or emerald, ideally with gota-patti or zari detail. Pair it with a halter or high-neck sleeveless blouse with mirror work, and drape a dupatta with a metallic fringe over one shoulder. If you go backless, a sleek bun with a latkan is the perfect finishing touch. Keep makeup glowing and minimal so the textile stays the hero. For garba nights, a slightly shorter, lighter lehenga will make dancing easier.
FAQ
What did Sara Ali Khan wear to the Ambani Navratri event?
A royal blue and deep purple Bandhani lehenga with a sleeveless, backless halter-neck crop blouse with mirror work, and a dupatta with a metallic fringe, according to Aaj Tak.
What was the Ambani Devi Shakti event?
A celebration hosted by the Ambani family on October 10, 2026, to mark the first anniversary of their brand Swadesh, according to Aaj Tak.
What hairstyle did Sara Ali Khan wear?
A neat bun with a golden latkan at the back.
What is Bandhani?
A traditional tie-dye textile technique, associated with Gujarat and Rajasthan, that creates small dotted patterns on fabric.
Cover photo: Bollywood Hungama / Wikimedia Commons, CC BY 3.0
