15 Years of Aisha: Sonam Kapoor Recalls Film’s Fashion Legacy

It’s been 15 years since Aisha made its stylish debut on the big screen and changed the way fashion was represented in Hindi cinema. Released on August 6, 2010, Aisha wasn’t just a film, it became a movement for young women who saw themselves in the characters, the story, and most of all, the clothes.

Directed by Rajshree Ojha and produced by Rhea Kapoor, Aisha starred Sonam Kapoor in the title role alongside Amrita Puri and Ira Dubey. The film became a pop culture favourite over time, especially among millennials who were growing up in the early 2010s. Now, on the film’s 15th anniversary, Sonam Kapoor looks back at the impact it had, both personally and for the industry.

“While making Aisha, we never set out with the intent to make any cultural impact,” Sonam shared. Adding, “We were just two girls — Rhea and I — making the kind of movie we wanted to watch. Bollywood wasn’t really telling stories like that then.” According to Sonam, the team behind Aisha wanted to create a film where fashion wasn’t just a background element, it was a character in itself. She added, “We knew people loved fashion, and we wanted to put it at the forefront. Aisha was bold in that way — it didn’t shy away from being a chick flick that wore its style on its sleeve.”

The movie, which was loosely based on Jane Austen’s Emma, was one of the first mainstream Hindi films to make fashion a central theme. Its styling choices, costume design, and chic wardrobe became aspirational for an entire generation.

“For the first time in Bollywood, fashion sparked mainstream conversations,” Sonam said. “It was about self-expression, about being proud of who you are through what you wear — something I’ve always stood for.”

Reflecting on her character’s long-lasting connection with fans, Sonam added, “Aisha still holds a very special place in my heart. She was stylish and smart, but also imperfect and vulnerable — just like so many of us. That’s probably why she continues to live on, even fifteen years later, in pop culture, wardrobes, and hearts.”

Aisha was co-produced by Rhea Kapoor, Anil Kapoor, and Sunil Manchanda, and it continues to be remembered as a defining film for fashion-forward storytelling in Bollywood.