On Thursday, Malhotra shared a series of photographs on Instagram showing Kapoor in a pre-draped, stitched Kanchipuram weave brocade saree in a gilded amethyst hue. The designer noted that the silhouette was sculpted into a modern form while retaining the essence of the traditional weave.
In an accompanying caption, Malhotra traced his long-standing fascination with handloom fabrics. “Growing up, I was always fascinated by my mother’s handloom woven saris that she wore when we attended weddings. The richness of Kanchipuram weaves, the beauty of Panchampalli saris, and the elegance they carried left a lasting impression on me watching them worn by Iconic heroines in our Movies,” he wrote.
He then recalled the formative collaboration with Sridevi. “A few years later, I worked with Sridevi ma’am on a Malayalam film in the early ’90s, which only deepened my admiration for these incredible textiles and the culture they represent as she and I went shopping in Chennai. @janhvikapoor carries Sridevi ma’am’s legacy and looks beautiful in this contemporary pre-draped, stitched Kanchipuram weave brocade sari in a gilded amethyst hue, sculpted into a modern sculpted silhouette while preserving the soul of the traditional weave. She looks effortlessly beautiful.”
Malhotra observed that Kapoor’s appearance in the saree brought to mind her mother’s presence, an association he found difficult to set aside while designing the outfit.
The post coincides with a recent personal tribute Malhotra paid to his late mother, Sudarshan, on what would have been her 95th birthday. He shared rare childhood photographs, including a monochrome image of a young Malhotra kissing his mother’s cheek and another of the two posing for a selfie, along with family moments. Sudarshan passed away on March 19, 2026, at the age of 94.
Malhotra’s reflections connect three strands of his professional and personal life: an early exposure to handloom through his mother’s wardrobe, a formative creative partnership with Sridevi that reinforced his respect for traditional textiles, and the opportunity to interpret that legacy for a new generation through Janhvi Kapoor. The designer’s emphasis on preserving the “soul of the traditional weave” while adapting it to a contemporary silhouette underscores his approach to balancing heritage craft with modern design sensibilities.
The Kanchipuram saree remains one of India’s most celebrated handloom traditions, valued for its silk, zari work and structural richness. By situating Kapoor’s look within this continuum and linking it explicitly to Sridevi’s influence, Malhotra framed the design as both a personal homage and a professional statement on the enduring relevance of handloom in contemporary Indian fashion.
