Style Spotlight: Vijay Deverakonda

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In this series, we take a look at some of the fashionable actors who are pushing the style envelope in their off-screen appearances. And today, we’d like to focus on the current hot flavor of Tollywood, Vijay Deverakonda. While his contemporaries are sticking to safer choices, he has not been shy to experiment with his looks.

From classic tailored suits to ethnic ensembles, prints and even sporting the “lungi” at red carpets, he’s done it all. Plus, major props to a man who tries and wears handlooms!

No prizes for guessing that his Golden Threads appearance is one that I have a soft corner for :)

Update: The post has been edited for text.

Vijay Deverakonda


Vijay Deverakonda

Vijay Deverakonda

Images Courtesy: IndiaGlitz, FilmyFocus & RagaLahari

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52 Comments

  1. Right, because until a couple of years ago everyone south of Mumbai had no taste or class whatsoever and dressed in zari lungis, silk shirts open to their navels, brocade chuddis and 2-kg gold chains. I’ve been a long-time reader and am trying really hard to not take offense with your condescending blanket statements about “South Indians” and the broader “South Indian film industry”.

    I’d like to respectfully recommend that you start using the power of the internet yourself to educate yourself about “the South” and the diversity in culture, cinema and the broader arts in the region.

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    • Exactly my thoughts. As soon as I read the first line, skipped to the next post. Had to bring myself back later on to look at the comments.

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    • True, I am very much offended too. There are people in every part of the country that dress flashy and still do and they aren’t necessarily from the southern part of India. Utterly disappointed in how you perceive and wrote this, so very judgmental.

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    • @PnP: You scrutinise and moderate our comments but forgot to do so with your own intern/employee?
      With one founder a South indian I can’t imagine how this post came to be. Utterly disappointing.

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      • The way I read it, she was just commenting on a phase in the industry, not comparing it to something else and belittling an entire geographical region with that opening line. I would assume the text would read the same if we were commenting on Bollywood cinema up until very recently. There are plenty of jokes to be made about say for instance ‘Khoon Bhari Maang’ brand of fashion.

        Considering that there were many among you that were offended, please be assured that your point is noted and we’ll definitely be more sensitive to how a tone might come across in the future however unintended it might have been.

        I’d like to also take a quick second to remind you (not you specifically) that we were the first blog and for a long time the only blog to cover fashion/style across the industries- Bollywood, Tollywood, Kollywood what have you. There is no bias here.

        Like I said, we’ll definitely be more sensitive to how something might come across going forward. Thanks!

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        • While I appreciate the acknowledgment, that third paragraph feels like you walk back the apology a little bit by giving yourself a little pat on the back like that makes it ok

          This was not a well worded post and to leave at that would have been the right thing to do

          It has also bothered me when even in the past you seem to take credit for South Indian actors starting to care about fashion after you started featuring them on your blog. I didn’t say much then but to put yourself on such a high pedestal when people are providing constructive feedback – why?

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          • Let me then leave no room for ambiguity- Everyone who has been offended by this post, we’ve heard your voice. It was an unintended misstep and won’t be repeated.

            Also, this blog has never taken credit for people caring about fashion after we started posting about them. If you can refer me to such a post, please do point us to it so that we can edit it with an updated text because that sounds obnoxious, yes, even to us. However, will concede, we have said in the past that with all the scrutiny of internet (and the fashion policing) and access to labels and stylists, people are giving more thought to their sartorial choices and that applies to people across the board.

            Also, if you have been on this blog long enough, you should know we have always welcomed criticism, constructive and at times even otherwise (not saying this is one of those instances before I am accused of it). We’ve run this blog for over ten years, I assure you, we’ve never thought of ourselves as more than two girls on a couch, sharing a perspective. No pedestals of any sort around here.

            Given how careful we are around here with the content we put out, this stings. Clearly it was a case of misunderstood intent. We’ll be careful to choose our words next time on. I won’t be posting ay more on this but rest assured, Payal and I have heard all of you, and this won’t happen again.

            Thanks.

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        • That sounds awfully lot like one of those ‘we are sorry you got offended’ apologies that most people with access to power tend to throw around. As opposed to a sincere ‘thank you for pointing this out, we get that we f*?&ed up, this will not happen again and we will make amends’.

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        • I second Priyanka. I don’t get why people are offended…I think it comes down to how you interpret the words and I didn’t see any bias there.
          Keep going HHC, people always find reasons to be offended and disregard how much effort might have gone into just writing and printing a piece.
          p.s. As for me I keep coming back to the post to look at Deverekonda’s pictures..
          peace out!

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          • Let me tell you what exactly is offensive.The whole post is about how “south Indians” used to be garish.So that means 30% of indian population. The author has clearly targeted 1/3rd of the country only on the basis of geographical location as if fashion has anything to do with geography. And is it fair to target south alone,why not the other regions of India ? You might say the author is targetting the movies not the people but that’s not the case.Initially author talks about fashion in south indian movies,which btw is not a representation of south indian fashion,because as we know movie fashion is driven by characters,not by actual fashion trends.Then again the author goes on to praise an actor,for his fashion choices during movie promotions,which again has nothing to do with the south indian movies.Can the author be clear to what exactly are the critiquing ? And why target the regional industries of the south btw.There are multiple regional industries in the north west and east too,will you say north indian fashion is bad because of Bhojpuri movies ? I don’t think so.South has unfortunately always been targeted for basically everything,from looks to color and now fashion.This article is highly insensitive ,and even after multiple comments the blog owners have not even bothered to edit it,perpetuating the stereotype further. And just FYI I don’t think stylists and internet has made anyone more fashion able, I would still consider a kanjeevaram saree or handloom saree more fashionable over any designer saree.Blogs haven’t made anyone more fashionable,it’s only given people a platform to pass unnecessary judgement.

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            • Come to think of it: why would an author (that too an intern) “target” a community. Let’s not see bias and hatred where there is none.
              I come to HHC just for some stress free entertainment and it is unfortunate that comments on some posts don’t make for a stress free and pleasurable read.

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  2. ” Fashion in South Indian films meant loud, flashy and in-your-face clothes. ” Do you really think you can pass off such an ignorant and ill informed comment? Fashion in general in ALL Indian movies were flashy and loud and colourful, and still is. Many big South Indian movies have equally good costume stylists and the smaller ones have good, understated fashion. It’s super ignorant to just stereotype that fashion in South Indian films were all flashy because the same thing could be said about the much revered Bollywood. Expected better from you all but not surprised.

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    • Good to know I wasn’t the only one to find the post ignorant (at best) and condescending and offensive! It’s P&Ps blog and they are entitled to their ideas of what is offensive and inappropriate and what is just a generic statement. But I am sometimes flummoxed by what they block and what they let go on their sites! I personally find inconsistencies but like I said, it’s their blog so their prerogative. And I guess it ours to voice out when we disagree and when we find something they write offensive!

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  3. Agree! He carries off both prints and classics very well. I am not one for busy prints but he makes it look very put together without going overboard.

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  4. Do you mean fashion in the films were flashy or South Indian stars dressed loud/flashy? If the latter, I’m not sure that’s true. Stars down south dress FAR more simpler than their Bollywood counterparts IMO. Take a look at pictures from awards functions or events for example….

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    • Yeah absolutely. They dress very simple. For instance south lady superstar Nayanthara always dresses up in handloom sarees for most award functions. This concept of dressing up with a team of stylists etc has only recently began in the south film industry.

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  5. South Indian actoress have been wearing most beautiful kajeeravaram heirloom sarees since the industry conceived,it’s just ppl/media have failed to capture it…today when some of the the bollywood actress wear kanjivaram saree with ugly embroidery ,they are lauded…in terms of heritage weaves and jewellery…we south Indians have always got it right…it’s just that Personal stylist have ruined the whole game by making celebs wear ugly clothes by designer ,in the process these celebs are losing individual indentity (in general, not talking about Vijay D).. nobody gives a hoot about handlooms today …handlooms are our treasure …we need to bring it back

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  6. Was this supposed to be a back handed compliment ? What a way to start article about south by belittling south Indians. Just FYI Rekha Sridevi Shilpa Shetty Malaika etc ,the ones regularly featured on your pages for their good style sense,are south Indians.Not to forget Aishwarya who is invited to Cannes every year and is spectacular.And also the international indian stars Priyanka Freida Deepika Padma Lakshmi have south indian roots.

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  7. Wow! What an ignorant statement by Shruti on South Indian film industry. Kindly please remove the first paragraph in the description. Looks like you haven’t watched South Indian movies and haven’t seen South film stars enough. In reality South film stars are not attention seeking, not paparazzi hungry and dress far less simple than Bollywood stars. South Indian actresses used to wear beautiful silk saris and handlooms for award functions and red carpet events until some 12, 13 years ago…..before this stylist and designer wear wear concept started. Even in South Indian movies, the costume designers do excellent work ever since the beginning of 1900 year. Your comment is an insult to their work Shruti. looks like you don’t know what you are talking.

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  8. Hi everyone, I just read the post and few of the comments. I must agree with the first comment that the post does sound condescending and inappropriate but The blogger has acknowledged that. And its evident she doesn’t mean “south indians” , she meant “south indian movie industry”. As wrong as it was , she does assure they’ll be careful going forward. Can we please stop the bashing now and maturely handle this situation. I mean how many more comments need to be made before we realise its done and said and acknowledged and wont be happening again.
    We are all reading here are fashion enthusiasts and let’s once again rejoice that.

    P.s. I am also a south indian before someone starts the whole bias comment.

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  9. Please also include actress Keerthi Suresh , South Indian actress who off late has been wearing beautiful sarees. Please include more of her post as well. South Indian TV anchor DD dhivyadarshini also sports many nice dresses including handloom sarees.

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  10. P&P please feature South Indian TV anchor Anasuya. She wears fashionable chiffon sarees and handloom sarees with fashionable blouses. She dresses many times better than most Bollywood celebs who get featured here. She also started acting in Telugu movies like Kshanam.

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  11. This post only brings to light all the baggage and judgement reserved for “south Indians” by the “north Indians”. Bad dressers, not-skinny, dark-skinned and not glamorous – all these are thoughts and biases embedded so deeply in the subconscious, people don’t realize it. Tags go both ways, I can probably find tags that south Indians associate with the north. Bollywood is richer – plain and simple. The film budgets are bigger, the compensation is more and the marketing machinery has perfected their routine to a T. These are things the regional film industry is catching up on. There are not so many press events, not a omnipresent paparazzi or ultra glamorous award shoes as in Bollywood. The simmering bias in the subconscious rears its ugly head at times and leads to discussions/posts like this.
    V Deverakonda is a good, smart dresser. Nothing to do with being from anywhere in the country. I’m guessing even if he wasn’t a film star, he would dress well. The whole lead-up to the pictures and comments on fashion seems to instigate people to comment, since I’m guessing the posts of not very famous people don’t get enough eyeballs.
    To the founder’s comment: Yes, you can make fun of Bollywood’s brand of fashion in some eras, but you don’t. In the old bollywood posts, you revere them and have something nice to say despite the loud, obnoxious looks. This was definitely a departure and a clear judgement on south Indian film fraternity’s poor sense of styling in movies.
    Yeah, those loud, flashy, in-your face clothes are definitely from the south. Not from Veere di wedding, not from the 80’s Naagin/Chandni and definitely not from the hundreds of bollywood item numbers. Those are just fine. /s

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  12. Wow came here late. The most prettiest actresses and the lady superstars in every era in bollywood are from south. Vyjayanthi mala, Hema malini, Rekha, Jayaprada, SriDevi, Aishwarya, Shilpa, Deepika, Vidya, All the bollywood non south indian actresses try to ape the westerners and end up looking like jokers. A nice handloom Kanjeevaram, khadi, dharmavaram sarees are the best and south stars wear them all the time and look most elegant. The heroines now who look like jokers down south are the north imports.

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  13. Why has this become a South India vs North India war? She is criticising South Indian movie industry’s fashion choices much like she criticises Bollywood’s. I don’t think she seems to think of one better than the other/lesser than the other. Why assume that she is? Both industries are being/ will be criticised. I think that is the point of an Indian fashion blog. Our cinema is diverse and the cinema industry is diverse. They are devouring this diversity and giving us amazing content, unlike, other fashion magazines and blogs that only cared about Bollywood. Plus, what makes you think Bollywood is North Indian. The language maybe Hindi, as that is the language the majority of the country understands. But the industry is anything but North Indian. The actors, directors, technicians, musicians are all from all over the country. Same can be said about the South Indian industry. Some of the leading actors/actresses are not from the South! This was true many years ago and this still remains true. They are just using labels that we all easily understand.

    I understand that many of us from the South have been treated differently or have been victim to cultural bullying, but please do not create divisions where there are none. We are all just a bunch of girls who love our cinema, and our fashion!

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    • It’s not a South India vs North India war. The readers are asking why the blog writer wrongly accused the South Indian film industry fashion as “loud, flashy and in your face dressing” until recently? When in reality it’s the opposite. South Indian film industry is the one which values rich Indian handlooms, weaves, textiles and heritage unlike Bollywood….. which values blingy, flashy Manish Malhotra and AJSK. South Indian film industry heavily uses silk sarees, handlooms, hand woven sarees, cotton sarees, hand embroidery, rich Indian textiles, fabrics and patterns etc. The blog writer should have done extensive research on the work of costume designers in South Indian film industry from the past century and beyond. The readers have every right to point out the wrong information given by the blog.

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      • I am not sure which South Indian Movie industry you are referring to. But up until 10 years ago at least, it was pretty bad in Tamil and Malayalam. Oversized salwars with those rectangular panel shawls, weird comical western dresses, wearing beautiful chiffon/crepe sarees with extremely mismatched garish gold jewelry. There were exceptions ofcourse (mostly that’s when they stuck to traditional attire). But overall, it was pretty sad. Especially the song sequences….(oh god repressed memories resurfacing). Of course these are smaller industries compared to Bollywood, so I didn’t expect haute couture. But, I felt like they were just aping other styles rather than focusing on our inherently classy traditional attire. But now, they seem to invest some effort into making characters dress more relate-ably and engage stylists who know their shit. And I agree readers have every right to point out if they disagree with the information provided. But I don’t think she was giving wrong information, she was just giving her opinion, as we are giving ours.

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        • Well said, but I have two issues with your reply:
          1. It is her opinion, alright, but to label a whole era/region’s costumes loud and obnoxious on a blog so critical of fashion is very short-sighted and comes off in poor taste.
          2. What I disagree with you more strongly, is your description of the bad tailoring of salwars and jewellery matchup comments without balancing it out with the conical bras and other fashion faux-pas that bollywood committed during the same time. It is more agreeable to say that fashion as a whole wasn’t on point and perhaps not as refined since I am not sure such a large crop of professions dedicated solely to fashion existed then.
          Everyone was trying to be as modern as they could with what they were comfortable with. To your comment about dressing more relatably -lol. I think bollywood lost the memo on that one as of late.

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  14. The write up implies that Tollywood ( and the South Indian film industry) is catching up with Bollywood… that’s coz Vijay Devarakonda looks like Himesh Reshamiya in Khanijo

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