Kareena and Deepika caught in wardrobe wars

They turned up for film promotions wearing ripped denims, appeared on the cover of the same fashion mag wearing D&G gowns, and are 2 of the most wanted women in Bollywood. The deeper connect one is seeing the other's cousin, and playing lead opposite the other's BF. That's fertile ground for a fashion war

Kareena and Deepika caught in wardrobe wars

They turned up for film promotions wearing ripped denims, appeared on the cover of the same fashion mag wearingu00a0D&G gowns, and are 2 of the most wanted women in Bollywood. The deeper connect one is seeing the other's cousin, and playing lead opposite the other's BF. That's fertile ground for a fashion war

After surviving yoga in 40 degrees celsius heat, Kareena, who once lived to eat, dropped stones for Tashan, hit the brake on her favourite chips, and quickly slipped into flattering designer wear for fashion mag cover shoots.

A flamboyant layered Dolce & Gabbana yellow-white-purple streaked gown that she sported for Vogue (March 2008) left as many tongues wagging as her bareback cover for Filmfare (February 2008). She is in a hurry, teetering on those heels to celebrate her newfound figure. Her glamazon roles in the recent Tashan and Kambakkht Ishq have established her as fashion icon, hobnobbing with designer brands.

Deepika is an antithesis to this diva. She is young and restrained, propah to the point of being stiff at events, but at effortless ease during photo shoots. Every word, move, smile is a lesson in premeditation. Boring.

Underplaying her innate sensuality, she keeps her sporty side up in easy ballerinas, roomy dresses and sling bags. The former supermodel is fast catching up with Bebo in the race to make it to mag covers. Her tanned torso spliced by a Louis Vuitton monokini on the Harper's Bazaar April 2009 cover is good enough to beat Kareena's oomph in an electric blue Lycra dress on the cover of Maxim (July 2009).

Settingu00a0A Trend

In Jab We Met, Kareena's spunky character Jeet made the patiyala-tee combo a rage among young Indian women. We think Deepika's churidar tights-flare kurti combo in the forthcoming love aaj kal threatens to turn just as popular.

On Newsstands

In Harper's Bazaar, April 2009 issue (top right), Deepika sizzles in a swimsuit spread, but in Vogue (July 2009) she does a Dita Von Teese, minus the skin show, oozing old-world romance. She looks yummy, but plays it safe. Our vote goes to the intrepid Kareena (Vogue, March 2008) for going spartan Oriental, with hardly any make-up, slipping into designs dominated by drapes and 0rigami.

At Events

Kareena sticks to a saree, usually a Manish Malhotra chiffon-Swarovski creation. Though conventional, playing it safe works better than dressing like a miniature doll you see stuck atop tiers of a wedding cake. The peach drop-waist gown just doesn't work for Deepika (at a London premiere of Chandni Chowk to China). And the fur shrug only seals her fate.

At play with BF

Deepika-Ranbir (Kapoor) are a chilled out couple, preferring to stick to jeans and tee, or a simple slip dress and canvas sling bag (seen here exiting Taj Lands End). Bebo-Saifu00a0 are rarely seen dressed in anything other than designer labels. We love the choice of footwear Saif in pointed-toe woven leather boots and Bebo in gunmetal stilettos. Ranbir wears cherry laced trainers and Deepika, cobalt patent pumps.

At Promotions

Maybe it's got to do with genes but Deepika loves going sporty. She layers vests over weathered denims or capris, teamed with trainers. Kareena prefers keeping it chic even when casual; kohl eyes, hair swept back in a ponytail, she loves her heels (here in YSL wedges) and skintight jeans.

pics/Sujit Jaiswal, Shadab Khan, Yogen Shah, Bipin Kokate

Designers take sides

Manish Malhotra
Kareena reminds me of an American star; someone like Jennifer Aniston, Drew Barrymore casual yet stunning. She is a trendsetter.

Tarun Tahiliani
Deepika is one of the most beautiful women I have seen; lovely, with a wholesomeness to her. She is a classic beauty.

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