15 years after ‘Aisha’, Sonam Kapoor reflects on it’s fashion impact and timeless charm
What made the film stand out was how it made fashion accessible. The characters’ wardrobes were not just glamorous but practical too, something young viewers could connect with.
It’s been 15 years since ‘Aisha’, the stylish rom-com that took Bollywood by surprise and changed the conversation about fashion in Indian cinema. The film, which starred Sonam Kapoor as the fashionable and quirky Aisha, was a game-changer in many ways.Not only did it highlight the power of style, but it also marked the debut of Rhea Kapoor as a producer. Looking back, both Sonam and Rhea knew they were doing something different with ‘Aisha’, something that hadn’t really been done before in Bollywood.
In a recent interview, Sonam opened up about the making of the film and why it remains so special to her and to fans even years later. She explained that when they set out to make ‘Aisha’, they weren’t aiming for cultural impact or trying to start a trend. Instead, they were simply two sisters making a film they’d love to watch.
Sonam said, “We were two girls wanting to make a film that we wanted to see as an audience and something that Bollywood wasn’t making for us to enjoy.”The film was a fresh take on Jane Austen’s ‘Emma’, set in the plush, upper-class world of Delhi, and it was very much aimed at the youth. It told the story of Aisha, a stylish and somewhat overconfident young woman who loves playing matchmaker, much to the frustration of her best friend Arjun, played by Abhay Deol.
Sonam Kapoor also shared that ‘Aisha’ had an unexpected impact on Bollywood’s portrayal of fashion. “People felt that and made us recognise this when they saw the film,” Sonam said. “They found it was a generation-defining film for youngsters then.”What made the film stand out was how it made fashion accessible. The characters’ wardrobes were not just glamorous or aspirational but practical too, something young viewers could connect with.Sonam said that she and Rhea always knew they wanted to bring a modern, stylish, and relatable vibe to the film. “We knew everyone was into it, but there was never a film that was so front-footed about making a chick flick that focused on fashion,” she recalled.
Sonam also mentioned how ‘Aisha’ started conversations about fashion and self-expression in Bollywood. For the first time, fashion wasn’t just something characters wore in the background, it was part of the story, and it spoke volumes about the personalities of the characters.“Fashion wasn’t just a background element but it was in front and centre, and sparked mainstream conversations about style and self-expression through what we wear,” she said. “That’s something I have always stood for.”But beyond fashion, ‘Aisha’ held a special place in Sonam’s heart because of the character she portrayed. “I think till date, Aisha holds a very special place in my heart and in the hearts of every girl from my generation,” Sonam said. “Her character is so relatable. She stands for every young woman discovering ho she is, unapologetically.”What made Aisha so relatable to so many was how she wasn’t perfect. While she was fashionable, smart, and confident, she also had her vulnerable moments.“She’s definitely stylish and smart but also vulnerable and imperfect and craving for love, just like all of us at some point,” Sonam reflected.
