Ishita Mangal, a prominent fashion content creator, recently stirred up controversy with her Instagram post in which she criticized Bollywood actors for showing what she perceives as disrespect to designers during fashion shows. Mangal, known for her candid views on the fashion industry, posted a video compilation of various instances where actors were seen engaging in casual behavior while walking the ramp. These moments included actors stopping to chat mid-walk, seeking blessings, or indulging in personal gestures, which she argued detracted from the overall focus of the show.
One of the highlights of the video was a clip of Ranveer Singh kissing Deepika Padukone on the cheek during his ramp walk. Another sequence captured Sidharth Malhotra halting his stride to greet veteran actor Zeenat Aman, while Nitanshi Goel was seen stopping to seek blessings from Hema Malini mid-walk. Mangal, who has a substantial following for her style and industry commentary, expressed her dissatisfaction with these moments, emphasizing that such actions were disrespectful to the designer's vision and the overall integrity of the event.
In her Instagram post, Ishita Mangal questioned the actors’ behavior, asking if fashion shows were now becoming more like family reunions or sangeet ceremonies, where casual interactions and blessings take precedence over the art of fashion. “I am officially done with Indian actors using fashion shows as family reunions. What’s with the blessing tour mid-ramp walk? Touching feet, meet and greet, casual chit-chats. I am confused. Are we at a sangeet or a fashion show? Respect and acknowledgment are great, but maybe showcase culture or values before or after the event,” she remarked.
Mangal further emphasized her point by saying, “We love our actors and the stardom that they have built, but the only star on a runway show is a designer.” This statement seems to be a call for prioritizing the essence of the event — the designer’s creations — rather than allowing the actors to take the spotlight for personal or informal moments. She argued that while respect and acknowledgment of elders or peers are important, the runway show is a space meant to showcase the designer's work, and such off-hand behavior can divert attention away from that central focus.
This criticism has sparked debate within the fashion and Bollywood communities, with some agreeing that such behavior can undermine the seriousness of a fashion show, while others defend the actors, asserting that the personal gestures were a reflection of their respect for their colleagues and the industry. Mangal's post has opened up a larger conversation about the balance between personal expression and professionalism in fashion events, and whether there should be more boundaries between personal moments and the professional atmosphere of such prestigious platforms.
