When we watch period dramas or fantasy epics, it’s easy to get lost in the storytelling, the grandeur, and the emotional arcs. But what often escapes the spotlight, ironically, are the clothes.
In Bollywood, costume designing is not just about fashion; it’s about time-travel, culture preservation, and cinematic immersion. Some films have gone all-out, investing crores in their costume budget.
Here are some of the most iconic — and most expensive — costumes in Bollywood history.
1. Jodhaa Akbar
The red bridal lehenga worn by Aishwarya Rai Bachchan in Jodhaa Akbar has now found a permanent place in global fashion history. Recently added to the Academy Museum’s Colour in Motion exhibition, the lehenga is a celebration of India’s textile heritage.
As the museum noted, “A lehenga fit for a queen, designed for the silver screen.” With an embroidered peacock crafted from jewels and traditional Mughal-era silhouettes, the design process took months of research. Costume designer Neeta Lulla collaborated closely with director Ashutosh Gowariker and cinematographers to pick fabrics that wouldn’t glare under natural light. The result was a palette of carefully chosen colours for the Mughal and Kachhawa clans, stitched with brocade-like zari embroidery.
The real showstopper? The jewellery — 300 kg worth, designed over 600 days by 200 artisans. Aishwarya’s bridal set alone weighed 3.5 kg, and it’s a feat she’s said was one of the toughest aspects of the role, according to her then interview with The Hindu.
2. Devdas
In Devdas, every swirl of Madhuri Dixit’s dupatta oozed opulence. Designers Neeta Lulla, Abu Jani-Sandeep Khosla, and Reza Sharifi crafted costumes that weren’t just beautiful, but historically resonant.
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Each of her looks reportedly cost more than ₹15 lakhs — a staggering number, but every rupee is evident in the embroidery, textiles, and silhouette precision.
It took Deepika Padukone nearly three hours to get into the full look, every single day (Still from Padmaavat)
3. Padmaavat
When Rimple Narula designed Deepika Padukone’s costumes for Padmaavat, she went for authenticity — even if it meant a literal weight on the actress. Deepika’s wedding lehenga weighed 30 kg and cost ₹20 lakhs, as per the designer’s interview with ANI in 2017.
It took the actor nearly three hours to get into the full look, every single day, with detailed embroidery including Mukke ka Kaam, Salma Sitara, and Gokru Dunka techniques.
4. Bajirao Mastani
Bajirao Mastani is a visual ode to opulence, and Deepika Padukone’s iconic pale gold outfit in the song Deewani Mastani was perhaps the most breath-taking.
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Designed by Anju Modi, the flowing ensemble may look like a lehenga but is actually cleverly structured pants beneath a flared silhouette. The gold-threaded embroidery, the mirror palace backdrop — everything worked to evoke Mughal-E-Azam-level grandeur.
Reportedly, Deepika’s wardrobe for the film cost about ₹50 lakhs in total.
5. Ra.One
When Shah Rukh Khan stepped into his superhero avatar for Ra.One, he didn’t just play the part — he wore ₹4.5 crore worth of it.
“It’s a million dollar costume — that’s four-and-a-half crore rupees per costume,” SRK told Hindustan Times back in 2010. “And there’s not just one costume, there are 20 such!”
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Crafted using advanced materials for stunts and VFX, the suit was a blend of tech and tailoring. It remains one of the most expensive costumes ever made in Indian cinema.
