Mijwan fundraiser marks 15 years as Alia Bhatt, Vicky Kaushal walk the ramp

Alia Bhatt and Vicky Kaushal took to the runway as showstoppers for designer Manish Malhotra at the 15th-anniversary edition of the Mijwan Fundraiser Fashion, held in Mumbai on Saturday.

The two actors, who will share the screen with Ranbir Kapoor in Sanjay Leela Bhansali's upcoming film 'Love and War', drew attention with their on-ramp chemistry as they walked in traditional ensembles. The showcase, titled 'Ticket to Bollywood', marked 15 years of collaboration between Malhotra and the Mijwan Welfare Society, an NGO run by actor Shabana Azmi that works to empower rural women and young artisans in Uttar Pradesh through traditional chikankari embroidery.

Bhatt wore an ivory embroidered outfit with a sheer dupatta carrying delicate white floral embroidery, draped over her head, paired with a matching corset blouse and skirt. She finished the look with a statement kundan choker, a matching maang tikka and traditional wrist accessories. Kaushal opted for a deep royal blue velvet sherwani jacket with heavy white floral zardozi embroidery, worn over a white collar-detailed kurta and tailored white trousers. The pair also walked together as showstoppers.

Speaking at the opening of the show, Azmi underlined the patriarchal character of society and called for women to be uplifted and young artisans to be given global platforms to drive what she described as transformational change. She said the effort had helped challenge deeply entrenched traditions and reach hundreds of girls across 42 villages in and around the area, bringing women into decision-making processes. She added that changing a mindset changes generations, and that the artisans are trained while Malhotra gives their craft a showcase by shaping it into structures, silhouettes and garments.

Kaushal said he had waited 15 years for his turn to take part and thanked those who gave him the opportunity, adding that he feels most confident in Malhotra's creations. He described the Mijwan Welfare Society's work over the past 15 years as incredible and said he hoped for a time when such an organisation would no longer be needed, expressing the wish that women take decisions not only for themselves but for their families, societies and the world at large.

Bhatt said she is surrounded by empowering women, noting that her mother and mother-in-law were present and that her daughter bosses everyone around. She praised the global platform given to the women and their craftsmanship, and described the Mijwan show as empowerment in action.

On the cinema front, Kaushal, Bhatt and Kapoor will next be seen in 'Love and War', scheduled for release in theatres on January 21, 2027.