If it’s time to uplevel your eyewear aesthetic, then a peek at the eyeglasses and shades loved by your favorite Bollywood stars could provide the inspiration you need. All the actors on the list below wear specs both on screen and off and are well-known for their fashion chops as well as their movie prowess. Meaning they’re well-placed to point us in the direction of the hottest eyewear styles around. Let’s dive in.
Shah Rukh Khan
Widely regarded as ‘the King of Bollywood,’ Shah Rukh Khan is the star of blockbusters including Jawan, Devdas, and Kal Ho Na Ho, and regularly is seen wearing spectacles both in his on-screen roles and in real life. But it’s the eyewear Khan wears in the movie Raees that boasts the most interesting backstory.
Movie director Rahul Dholakia wanted to give Khan’s character an edgy look and was extremely specific about the glasses that he thought would best do the job. To do so, more than fifty pairs of specs were tried from a wide range of manufacturers. The final pair that was settled on was a pair of slick Clubmaster-style part-rimless spectacles with a slightly curved double bridge and clear frames that delivered just the right level of style and menace.
Priyanka Chopra Jones
Indian actress and producer Priyanka Chopra Jones is rarely seen without a killer set of shades or a fashion-forward pair of eyeglasses. The star of Dil Dhadakne Do, The Sky is Pink, and Barfi particularly favors cat-eye frames, which are a great way to add some classic vintage appeal to even the most cutting-edge of ensembles. She’s also a fan of aviator glasses, which can be rocked to a flattering effect with either a casual jeans-and-tee combo or glamorous evening wear.
To get Priyanka’s look, try experimenting with a range of the most iconic frame shapes, such as cat eyes, aviators, or Wayfarer-type styles. Look for options with unusual styling elements, like additional detailing on the arm bars or lines that hint at a contemporary edge.
Deepika Padukone
Deepika Padukone is one of Bollywood’s most beloved actresses – and she’s also well known for her consistent sense of style, which sees her regularly feature in fashion columns and ‘What to wear this year’ articles.
Deepika has an impressive collection of designer and vintage shades and eyeglasses and loves frequently switching up her eyewear style. Some of her favorite glasses include oversized shades with square frames, fifties-style oval-framed white sunnies, and aviator styles. As for designers, Deepika is a fan of Michael Kors, Vogue, Fendi, and William Morris London. The latter has recently launched its new collection, Black Label, designed to showcase the best of British design and fuse conventional styling with a rebellious edge.
Aamir Khan
Indian actor and filmmaker Aamir Khan has been gracing Bollywood’s silver screen in leading roles since the 1980s and, throughout his thirty-year career, has gained the moniker ‘Mr. Perfectionist’. And he’s not just about perfection in his movie and TV roles: his fashion sense is second to none, too.
Like the other stars on this list, Khan wears specs both on and off-screen, and his eyewear choices are widely commented on. Some of his best-known looks include the chunky red-framed rectangular glasses that he rocked in 2016 and the striking round pair of prescription glasses with an unusual double bridge that he was subsequently spotted wearing on a regular basis.
Alia Bhatt
Since her debut role in Student of the Year, Alia Bhatt has climbed the glittering Bollywood ladder of fame and is now considered one of the biggest actors working in the industry today. She’s a big fan of big, bold eyeglasses and sunglasses frames, from chunky coral-colored cats eyes to aviators with fun pink armbars to extra-oversized rimless round sunnies with a gold bridge. The star enjoys wearing lavishly embellished sunglasses on occasion from luxury brands, including Gucci and Dior.
Alia also favors a range of tinted shades, and these are a great way to jazz up your eyewear look. Try orange, blue, pink, or purple tints to capture the actress’s aesthetic and channel this season’s most sought-after shades.
Final Thoughts
Experiment with the styles that your favorite Bollywood actors wear both on and off-screen, from Priyanka Chopra Jones’ classic-look cats eyes to Alia Bhatt’s fun and funky frames. If you’re looking to uplevel your eyewear style this evening, then a look at the options favored by some of the biggest Bollywood stars around can provide all the inspiration you need!
