HELLO! India Exclusive: “I love the sensuality of the drape”: Sobhita Dhulipala on her love for sarees

There's something mystical about the way Sobhita Dhulipala approaches traditional Indian wear. Whether draped in a silk saree or throwing a curve ball with unique accessories, the actress has ensured that her style; particularly when it comes to ethnic choices, has never been a cliché. It's possibly because fashion, for Dhulipala, isn't just about the clothing as it's intermingled with an appreciation for the tradition and craftsmanship behind the fabric. As the newly appointed brand ambassador for Aadyam Handwoven, the actress speaks exclusively to HELLO! India about her treasured associations with textiles, her festive wardrobe and why personal style should never feel like a costume.

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HELLO! India: Do you have a treasured family memory around handloom?

Sobhita Dhulipala: I think textiles become treasured because of the memories we attach to them. In my own family, it was less about a particular heirloom and more about how naturally textiles were part of everyday life—what you wore for a festival, a wedding, a temple visit, or simply at home. I’ve come to appreciate those associations much more as I’ve grown older. A handloom has this beautiful ability to carry the imprint of time, place and people. That sense of history is something I find particularly special about Aadyam too—the idea that a textile can hold the story of its craft and the people who made it, while still finding a place in our lives today.

HELLO! India: What is your go-to Indian look for festive celebrations and how do you style it?

Sobhita Dhulipala: For me, it’s difficult to look beyond a saree. I love the sensuality of the drape—it is almost formless until you put it on, and then it becomes an extension of you. With a handwoven sari, I like allowing the textile and its craftsmanship to be the focus. Aadyam’s handlooms have that quality where you can appreciate the intricacy of the weave without needing to over-style them.

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HELLO! India: How do you put your own personality into a traditional Indian look?

Sobhita Dhulipala: I think you have to resist the temptation to make it look “perfect”. I like a little tension in an outfit—a very traditional textile with something unexpected, or an otherwise classic look with a slightly unconventional blouse, jewellery or styling. My personality tends to sit somewhere between the rooted and the bohemian, so I enjoy bringing those two worlds together. Ultimately, clothes should feel like an extension of who you are, not a costume you’re inhabiting.

HELLO! India: What colour palette do you gravitate towards during the festive season?

Sobhita Dhulipala: I’m instinctively drawn to deep, earthy and jewel-like colours—maroon, rust, indigo, deep green, gold. But I also love colours that feel a little unexpected in an Indian context: a washed-out pink, a soft mint, an unusual blue. Handloom makes colour particularly fascinating because the texture of the weave gives even a familiar colour so much depth.

HELLO! India: Are you a fan of experimenting with unexpected colours and silhouettes for Indian festivities?

Sobhita Dhulipala: Very much so. I think that’s how traditions stay alive—they have to be allowed to evolve. That is one of the things I appreciate about Aadyam: there’s a respect for the history and integrity of handloom, but also a willingness to look at it through a contemporary lens. I love taking something with centuries of history and seeing how it can speak to the present moment without losing what makes it special. An unexpected colour, a different drape, a more modern blouse or even pairing a traditional textile with something from another wardrobe can completely change the feeling. For me, experimentation isn’t about moving away from tradition; it’s about finding your own way into it.

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