We spotted the usual couture gowns and shiny tuxedos at last night’s HT Most Stylish Awards 2018. But the bigger highlight of the night was the heart-felt emotion apparent in the room, expressed through celebrity acceptance speeches. They say winning always makes you think of the struggles you’ve endured along the journey — and this was exactly the sentiment being shared.
From Sonakshi Sinha’s speech about being a rebel to Parineeti Chopra acknowledging her body issues, here are the surprisingly intimate confessions we heard from these 7 Bollywood A-listers:
1. Shahid Kapoor and Mira Rajput on how to build a successful relationship
The couple, who won the Most Stylish Couple award, taught us how that understanding and sacrifice is crucial in a relationship. Shahid spoke about how when he met Mira, she had just graduated from college, and though they had an arranged marriage, she effortlessly adapted to his glamorous lifestyle. “There is something very real, normal and confident about her that I love,” he said.
2. Parineeti Chopra’s body issues
On being presented with the Style Gamechanger (female) award, Parineeti opened up about struggling with getting into shape and how she will continue to do so until the end of time. “I want to thank all the fashion critics who helped me pull up my socks, literally,” she said, adding that her style experiments may have failed in the past, but she has learnt to be herself in the process.
3. Sonam Kapoor’s ability to laugh at herself
“I am like a blank canvas that my team works on,” Sonam said on winning the Global Style Icon award. She dedicated her award to her sister, Rhea Kapoor: “Rhea is my stylist who is also my boss, and she also handles our dad’s company.” On being asked what her fashion superpower was, Sonam said that it was being true to herself and on being able to laugh at herself.
4. Sonakshi Sinha on being a rebel
“When I joined the industry, I was told I had a big forehead — but I said, so does Angelina Jolie. I was told I had a big body — so I worked on it; I worked on myself. I didn’t do what people expected me to do, whether it was the way I dressed or the movies I chose to do. I’m a rebel, and it’s helped me be where I am today,” said an empowered Sonakshi, who won the Breaking the Mould (female) award.
5. Sridevi’s modest background
Sridevi, who got the Style Legend (Female) award, was almost teary-eyed as she thanked her husband Boney for his unflinching support. “I am not educated, and it is because of all of your (the audience’s) love that I am here today,” she said, adding that her daughters and husband were her pillars of strength who helped her overcome all odds.
6. Rekha’s endearing love for her mother
The reigning style queen of Bollywood, who was rightly recognised with the Hall of Fame (female) award, finally revealed why she’s dedicated to wearing saris. “My mother always used to wear a Kanjeevaram sari, and whenever I wear one, I feel engulfed by love, protection and softness from my mother. I feel like she’s around me, and it’s because of her blessings that I am so happy today.”
