Manish Malhotra & his muse
Some artists create with colour. Others with words. But Manish Malhotra creates with emotion. From the delicate drape of a saree to the sweeping arc of a film narrative, he’s a man who pours his heart into every thread, every frame. This year, his journey transcended the runway—touching red carpets at Cannes, dazzling at the Met Gala and stepping into the world of filmmaking.
But at the core of it all remains a quiet boy who once dreamt of dressing stars—and now dreams of directing them.
A Cannes to remember
This year, Aishwarya Rai Bachchan didn’t just walk the Cannes red carpet—she owned it. Making her 22nd appearance, she turned heads in a custom Manish Malhotra Banarasi saree reimagined as a couture gown, complete with a dramatic sheer train.
The ivory and gold ensemble, dripping in embroidery, was paired with a jaw-dropping 500-carat ruby and diamond necklace from Manish Malhotra Jewellery. It wasn’t just fashion. It was fire. “We both said ‘saree’ in the same breath. It had to be rooted in India. It had to be emotional.”
But what touched him most was Aishwarya’s words: “Whenever I wear a saree at Cannes, it has to be with you.”
“That meant everything,” he says, eyes brimming. “It wasn’t just fashion. It was a memory, a moment—ours.”
The man behind the magic
Manish made his own unforgettable debuts this year at the prestigious Cannes and Met Gala 2025. Dressed in a navy velvet trench, paired with a tailored waistcoat, trousers and adorned with diamond brooches and falcon pins—he served regal, refined and revolutionary.
Every detail—every silhouette, sparkle, and stitch—was pure storytelling.
Inspired by icons
Even icons have idols. For Manish, it’s always been Srideviji and Rekhaji.
“They carried their style with such grace, such individuality. Just watching them was a masterclass in elegance.”
The fifth dream
While the world knows him as fashion’s favourite name, Manish always wanted to be a filmmaker.
“Watching Yash Johar ji and Raj Kapoor ji’s films as a child made the ordinary feel magical. I wanted to be part of that magic.”
And now, he is. With Stage5 Production, Manish embarks on what he calls the fifth phase of his life—after costumes, couture, beauty and jewellery.
This time, he’s not just designing clothes. He’s crafting cinema, gathering the best writers, creators, and dreamers to tell stories that linger.
“I want to make films that entertain, yes—but also touch something within you. That’s what stories are for.”
Whispers of what’s next
There’s much brewing—more couture, more collaborations, more cinema. But Manish smiles gently, “We’re working with so much passion right now. It’s all about creating from the heart.”
One can only imagine what he’ll dream up next—but if his past is any indicator, it will be bold, beautiful and brimming with soul.
Designs on Beyoncé
Singer Beyoncé’s performance during the Cowboy Carter Tour in Paris caught the eyeballs of Indian fans, but this time it was not because of her songs. The outfit that was worn by the Deja Vu hitmaker at the gig garnered more attention, courtesy of the ace designer Manish Malhotra. Beyonce hit the stage, donning a custom creation by MM, with her husband Jay Z while singing the iconic Crazy In Love. She wore a black bodysuit, embellished with 10,000 Swarovski crystals. Several images and videos of Beyonce in a Manish Malhotra outfit have been shared on the designer’s Instagram handle. “It was bold, wild and yet deeply intimate,” Manish reflects. “To see her move in something you dreamt up… it was surreal. Like watching your heartbeat come alive on stage.”
Entertainment