Bipasha Basu’s royal return has fans saying: ‘The OG fashion queen is back’ |
Bipasha Basu is reminding everyone why she has always had a strong place in Bollywood fashion conversations.The actor is the cover star of Elle India’s September 2026 digital cover, and the images from the shoot have already made their way across social media. Dressed in dramatic black couture and styled with striking vintage-inspired jewellery, Bipasha brings a mix of old-school glamour and modern edge to the shoot.The cover was shared on Instagram on September 5, and the reaction was almost immediate. Fans and fellow celebrities filled the comments with compliments, while fashion followers seemed especially pleased to see Bipasha leaning into the kind of bold, glamorous styling that has long suited her.And honestly, the look speaks for itself.For the cover, Bipasha wears a black mermaid-cut corset gown with a sheer fringe stole, both by Rocky Star. The fitted silhouette follows her figure before opening into a dramatic mermaid hem, giving the outfit a classic red-carpet feel.The sheer stole adds movement without taking away from the gown. Its fringe detail also brings a slightly playful finish to an otherwise sleek black look.But the jewellery is what gives the styling its personality.Bipasha wears cascade tassel earrings by TAD Accessories along with a white enamel geometric ring by Vasundhara Jewelry. The combination keeps the look from becoming too predictable. There’s glamour, certainly, but there’s also a sharpness to the accessories that works beautifully with the structured gown.Her beauty look stays relatively clean. Bipasha wears her hair loose, parted down the centre and falling over her back. Mascara-heavy lashes, a soft base and glossy pink lips add just enough polish without competing with the clothes.The result is dramatic without looking overworked.And then comes the second look, which takes the shoot in a completely different direction.
Bipasha brings vintage glamour to the second look
For her second appearance in the Elle India feature, Bipasha wears a custom maxi dress by Picante.The dress has plenty going on. Voluminous sleeves feature slits that reveal the arms, while a collared neckline gives the silhouette a slightly structured feel. The dress skims the figure before opening into a flared hem that trails behind her, creating a soft train.It’s glamorous, but there’s something distinctly vintage about the styling.Bipasha completes the outfit with vintage Chanel turquoise stone earrings and a natural Tibetan turquoise choker. The turquoise against the dress adds a burst of colour and gives the look an almost heirloom quality.This is where the shoot feels particularly interesting. Rather than using jewellery simply as decoration, the styling allows the accessories to become part of the story.The vintage Chanel earrings and Tibetan turquoise choker bring character to the otherwise sophisticated silhouette. They also add warmth to the overall styling, making the second look feel more personal and less like a standard magazine fashion spread.
Social media can’t get enough of Bipasha’s comeback moment
The response online has been loud, and much of it has been about one thing: Bipasha still knows exactly how to command a fashion shoot.Fashion watchdog Diet Sabya shared Bipasha’s cover on Instagram Stories with the caption, “Mother Ate…The face (card) that launched an army of envious Bolly actresses.”Dia Mirza also praised the actor, simply writing, “Fabulous as ever.”Fans, meanwhile, had plenty to say.Some comments included “Y’all can never be her. Periodt,” and “Oh, we are so back, baby! The icon, BB.”Others compared the look to the gothic glamour of The Addams Family, writing “It’s giving Morticia Addams.”Another fan joked, “My inner child just passed out. Thank you for this opportunity,” while others kept it short with comments like “Unmatched.”There were also plenty of references to Bipasha’s own pop-culture legacy. One user wrote, “Alexa, please play Bipasha,” referring to the song Bipasha from Jodi Breakers.Another fan pointed out a missed opportunity, saying, “Missed opportunity of adding ‘Bip-ash-ah Bipasha’ audio on this post. She looks faaabbbb.”Then came the comments that summed up the mood pretty neatly: “OMG BIPS IS BACK” and “The OG fashion queen.”
A familiar kind of glamour, with a new edge
What works about these images is that Bipasha doesn’t appear to be chasing a particular trend.The styling leans into what has always worked for her – strong silhouettes, sensual glamour, dramatic colours and statement jewellery – while giving those elements a more editorial finish.The black Rocky Star gown is sleek and powerful, with the corset construction and mermaid shape doing most of the work. The sheer fringe stole softens it just enough.The second Picante dress is more theatrical, and the turquoise jewellery completely changes the mood. It feels richer and more collected, almost as if the accessories have their own history.
Together, the two looks show different sides of the same style personality.One is sleek, dark and unmistakably glamorous. The other is softer, more vintage and slightly mysterious.And Bipasha carries both with ease.At a time when celebrity fashion can often feel very trend-driven, there’s something refreshing about seeing an actor lean into a look that feels distinctly her own. Bipasha’s latest Elle India shoot does exactly that.The clothes are bold. The jewellery has character. The beauty styling stays understated.And the final pictures make one thing very clear: Bipasha Basu hasn’t lost her ability to own a fashion frame.
