Slaying in bikinis

One of the best things about Instagram is it helps you live vicariously through your favourite celebrities, giving an insight into their solo as well as romantic getaways, and celebrating occasions from birthdays to bridal showers.
However, the one trend that’s recently emerged is of the Bollywood frat posting their beach and tropical romps, and their sexy swimwear collection. From crochet, sequinned, patterned halter tops to cheeky bottoms, pastel and neon designs, the stars can’t stop showing off their curves.

Basking in the success of her recent hits Call Me Bae and CTLR Ananya Panday dropped several pictures on the gram, as she took a much-needed break in Dubai. Images of her in a tropical printed bikini top and bottom won her admiration from friend Suhana Khan who complimented her perfect bikini body. Ananya has been known to promote body positivity through her posts. Once criticised for being too thin, the actor was regularly spotted at her pilates and strength training sessions, flaunting her curves as well as her bikini collection.
Sisters Janhvi and Khushi Kapoor too recently dropped several pictures from their sun-kissed Maldivian holiday, in mono-toned bikinis. Khushi Kapoor had made a style statement of sorts when she sported a mismatched bikini set. The Archies actor showed off her slim frame in a pink bikini halter top and high-leg bottoms on her trip to Thailand with her girlfriends for Aliyah Kashyap’s bacherlotte. A few years ago, Khushi Kapoor had taken a strong stance on body shaming, when she was mocked for being plump.

Her sister Janhvi has often said that the public needs to realise their on-screen persona is very different from their off-screen one. “I live and dress like another girl my age, so what’s wrong with it?”

Maldives is the go-to destination for the Pataudis. Kareena Kapoor Khan posted pictures of herself in a yellow knotted bikini top with her face devoid of makeup, along with her husband Saif Ali Khan. Saif’s son Ibrahim and rumoured girlfriend Palak Tiwari too gave glimpses of their beach vacation. Palak sizzled in a black bikini which showed off her shapely body.

Bikinis have emerged as the choice of swimwear for the Bollywood brigade. Fashion designer Anand Bhushan says, “The 80s and 90s saw the bikini being restricted to the C Grade category of cinema. However, in 2000, there was a revival of celebrating the sensuality of women through the bikini. We earlier saw top actresses like Sharmila Tagore, Zeenat Aman and Praveen Babi being applauded for wearing it. Now due to the explosion of the internet and social media, we have become a global audience that is aware and less judgmental of the bikini. Gen Z like Janhvi and Ananya wear them with aplomb on social media. The idea of a bikini being sensual and not vulgar is back and here to stay.”

Several actors taking to the bikini is also sending out a message of body positivity, says a fashion stylist. “Earlier, you wore bikinis if you had the body for it, otherwise one wore those tankinis and one piece. Even though on one hand, you see unrealistic beauty and body standards on the internet, on the other you have several of these youngsters embracing their bodies for what they are, which makes a strong statement on body positivity.”

“The 80s and 90s saw the bikini being restricted to the C Grade category of cinema. However, in 2000, there was a revival of celebrating the sensuality of women through the bikini. Gen Z like janhvi and Ananya wear them with aplomb on social media. The idea of a bikini being sensual and not vulgar is back and here to stay.” — Anand Bhushan, fashion designer