Beautiful Baywatch lifeguards have saved millions (ahem) of lives over the years as they ran in slow-mo. And now it has a whole new definition for us Indians.
The new Baywatch movie, starring Priyanka Chopra, will hit screens soon. Fans are already on the edge of their seats to see PC in Baywatch, and more so, to see her as the villain, Victoria Leeds, as she dominated Dwayne Johnson and the cast.
She may have not made it to the actual squad, but we can’t help but think of how Priyanka Chopra and so many other ladies from Bollywood have been rocking the beach look.
And yes, don’t be surprised when we take you way down memory lane... for these ladies have been slaying beachwear since the 60’s. When modelling, acting and bold clothing was, to say the least, a taboo; these women donned swimsuit like pros.
1. Sharmila Tagore
When actresses in Bollywood would typically wear sarees, Sharmila Tagore was the first who made it to the cover of Filmfare magazine in a swimsuit, and don’t be shocked – this was in 1967.
No wonder, the lady, who still speaks her mind, was in the news for quite some time even then, but that didn’t stop her. Sharmila, again, made a stunning appearance in the famous song “Aasma se aaya farishta” in a bright blue swimsuit.
2. Dimple Kapadia
It might have taken a couple of years for Bollywood to accept its leading ladies in swimsuits, but for Dimple Kapadia, it was all out in her debut film, Bobby. She wore a bright orange two-piece with full confidence and left her audience swooning.
3. Zeenat Aman
The ever so beautiful Zeenat Aman also contributed to changing the face of the ‘coy’ Bollywood actress. In Heera-Panna (1973), Aman looked stunning in an emerald green bikini, while coming out of the pool.
4. Parveen Babi
Parveen Babi gave the look a new definition with that slow-mo run. Doesn’t this have an uncanny resemblance with the actual Baywatch run? BTW this movie, Yeh Nazdeekiyan, was released in 1982, and when was Baywatch released? Ahem, 1989.
5. Sridevi
Sridevi made her first swimsuit appearance in Himmatwala (1983). A simple midriff purple swimsuit flattered her body, and could be termed as a ‘safer’ option for those times. Remember, Bollywood was still not comfortable with leading ladies in swimsuits.
Bollywood then was totally fine with leeringly shot rape scenes, but two pieces were a ‘bit’ of an issue.
But never mind. Cut to the ‘modern’ times. We have become so much more experimental and open to our women in a bikini.
6. Priyanka Chopra
The desi Baywatch star made a rocking appearance in a gold swimsuit in Dostana in 2008. With her toned body and Miami in the backdrop, it’s a swimsuit appearance that set a benchmark for Bollywood.
7. Kareena Kapoor
If actresses in the yesteryear refrained from slipping into a bikini, the 21st century actresses prep their bodies for a shot in the two-piece. It’s said that Kareena Kapoor went all out for that perfect bikini shot in Tashan. And my god, her tashan did stun the audience.
8. Anushka Sharma
Taking cue from fellow leading ladies, Anushka Sharma (almost) burned the screen when she wore a stunning black two-piece in Ladies vs Ricky Bahl, to con the con in the movie. And with such swag and confidence, who wouldn’t be floored?
9. Katrina Kaif
Katrina Kaif, who’s the fittest woman in the film business, left the viewers dumbfounded, not once, but twice. Her multi-coloured swimsuit in “Bang Bang” and then the criss-cross cut neon pink swimsuit in Baar Baar Dekho, need I say more?
10. Alia Bhatt
How can the bubbly, girl next door not daze the bikini look? Whether it was the yellow two-piece in her debut film SOTY or the hot pink bikini in Shaandaar, Alia showed her contemporaries that cute is the new hot. You go girl!
If by now you’re not convinced that Bollywood is filled with bikini swank, then you need some counselling. Because if these women are not nailing it, then no one can!