The realm of Bollywood has seen male stars who are not just actors but sartorial pioneers. With Dev Anand’s sophisticated allure, Amitabh Bachchan’s iconic rebel vibe, Feroz Khan’s bold panache, and Kamal Haasan’s adaptive style, these men transformed each decade with their unique fashion sensibilities.
Indian cinema has always been blessed with style icons who left a mark far beyond the screen. Fashion, trends, and style have constantly evolved with time, just as cinema itself transformed from black and white to colour. With every passing decade, new shades of sophistication, attitude, and expression emerged.From colour palettes to silhouettes, from mannerisms to accessories, everything changed, but one thing remained constant: our actors became the biggest trendsetters. With their larger-than-life appeal, they carried fashion from the silver screen straight into the hearts and wardrobes of millions.Every era saw a leading man who defined the look of his time and inspired generations to come. Let’s take a walk down memory lane and revisit some of Bollywood’s most iconic male style legends.
Dev Anand: The Evergreen Charmer
Often called “The Gregory Peck of India,” Dev Anand was the embodiment of effortless style and charisma. His debonair looks, scarves, mufflers, tailored jackets, and that trademark puff hairstyle, became a sensation across the country.With his urban, sophisticated charm, Dev Anand sparked a sartorial revolution that made refinement fashionable, setting a timeless example of grace and confidence.
Amitabh Bachchan: The Rugged Gentleman
In the 1970s and 1980s, Amitabh Bachchan’s “angry young man” era redefined masculinity in fashion. His bell-bottom trousers, denim-on-denim looks, and leather jackets became an anthem of rebellion and coolness.Social media-savvy as ever, Amitabh often shares retro moments from his fashion-forward days. In one Instagram post, he shared a throwback from Deewaar (1975), wearing a blue buttoned shirt knotted in the front with light-toned trousers. He captioned it:“… those were the days my friend .. and the knotted shirt .. it has a story .. first day of shoot .. shot ready .. camera about to roll .. and the discovery that the shirt has been made too long – beyond the knees .. director could not wait for another shirt or a replaced actor .. so tied it up in a knot and …” Only a legend like Amitabh could turn a last-minute wardrobe mishap into a lasting fashion statement.In another post, he recalled wearing blue-tinted sunglasses long before they became trendy, writing: “Wo bhi kya din the !!! When wearing glasses like these publicly or at public functions was not considered ‘IT’ .. but I liked wearing them and did it .. they all thought I had lost my eye sight .. BUT .. you know what thought did.” Soon, those very glasses became the ultimate symbol of cool.
Feroz Khan: The Cowboy of Cool
Known as Bollywood’s “Ultimate Style Icon,” Feroz Khan was the epitome of swagger. Bringing a Westernized, glamorous flair to Indian cinema, he redefined luxury and confidence. Whether in his perfectly tailored suits or his cowboy-inspired screen looks, Feroz exuded sophistication, charm, and unapologetic flair, influencing generations of leading men.
Kamal Haasan: The Master of Reinvention
Kamal Haasan’s fashion sensibility mirrors his cinematic brilliance, versatile, fearless, and always ahead of his time. His wardrobe seamlessly blends classic elegance with contemporary experimentation. From well-cut suits and crisp shirts to earthy-toned linen kurtas and Nehru jackets, his looks balance tradition and modernity with ease.Stylist Amritha, who has been working with Kamal Haasan for several years, calls him “a fashion institute in himself.”“Working with Kamal Haasan, I would say, is my best school of learning,” she said, adding that although she trained at a leading New York fashion school, Haasan’s understanding of clothing is unmatched.
Kamal Haasan was last seen in Thug Life. (Credit: Instagram)
Amritha began styling him during the promotions of Vishwaroopam and continues to collaborate with him for Bigg Boss and Indian 2. Impressed by his impeccable fashion sense, she even launched an Instagram page dedicated to his iconic looks.“He might have worked with several designers in the past but I know he is the base of all the outfits,” she said. “Mr. Haasan’s style mantra can’t be summed up in one sentence — for him, change and experimenting are constant. He plays with fabrics, colours, and textures. Sometimes it works, sometimes it doesn’t but that’s what makes his approach inspiring.”
Shashi Kapoor: The Quintessential Gentleman
Shashi Kapoor personified class and sophistication. With his neatly tailored suits, polished grooming, and effortless poise, he defined what it meant to be a well-dressed gentleman. His natural grace made even the simplest outfit look regal, a timeless benchmark for elegance.
Dharmendra: The Handsome He-Man
Dubbed the “He-Man of Bollywood,” Dharmendra combined rugged masculinity with suave sophistication. His handsome looks, often complemented by crisp shirts and fitted trousers, made him one of the most admired stars of the 1970s. His screen presence wasn’t just powerful, it was irresistibly stylish.
Rajesh Khanna: The Original Superstar Style Icon
Rajesh Khanna, India’s first superstar, redefined male fashion in the late 1960s and ’70s. His distinctive guru kurtas, scarves, and side-swept hairstyles made him a cultural phenomenon.Interestingly, his signature style had a strong designer connection. Actresses Supriya Pathak and Ratna Pathak Shah once revealed that their father, Baldev Pathak, styled both Rajesh Khanna and Dilip Kumar long before professional styling became a trend.
राजेश खन्ना
Supriya recalled in an interview with Bombay Times:“My dad used to be a dealer of imported cars and sold one to the late Dilip Kumar. That’s how he got connected with a lot of Hindi film actors. He then started a store for men’s clothing near the Gateway of India, where many top actors came for custom-made outfits.”She added,“He took up designing Rajesh Khanna’s off-screen looks, including the guru kurtas, long shirts with belts, and shirts where the stitching would show. Many of these became popular trends. I have fond memories of Dilip Kumar and Rajesh Khanna attending the Diwali puja at our store.”
A Legacy of Style
From Dev Anand’s puffed hair and scarves to Kamal Haasan’s experimental modernism, these legends didn’t just follow fashion, they created it. Each one, in his own era, embodied the spirit of timeless elegance and individuality. Go to Source
