When Jaya Bachchan questioned the shift to Western wear among Indian women on Navya Naveli’s podcast |

In an old episode of granddaughter Navya Naveli Nanda‘s podcast ‘What The Hell Navya,’ seasoned actress Jaya Bachchan raised the topic of the growing fondness for Western wear among Indian women. The episode, titled ‘One Crown, Many Shoes,’ had Jaya, her daughter Shweta Bachchan Nanda, and Navya having open chats, similar to their previous discussions on parenting and contemporary relationships.

Jaya Bachchan questioned the shift to Western wear among Indian Women

Jaya began by putting the question bluntly to Shweta and Navya, “Why is it, I would like to ask you two, that Indian women are dressing in more western attire?”. While Navya stayed neutral, Shweta provided her viewpoint, crediting the change to “ease of movement.” She pointed out that with more women joining the workforce, practicality becomes the order of the day, so “easier to pull on a pair of pants and a T-shirt or a shirt” becomes a more convenient one compared to wrapping a saree.
Jaya, though, provided a better insight. “I think what has occurred is quite unknowingly, we’ve just accepted that the western wear is more… it gives that manpower to a woman. I would love to see a woman in a womanpower. I’m not saying go dress in a saree that’s just an example but I think even in the West women always dressed in dresses. This whole thing much later in life where they also started also wearing pants.”
Shweta went on to explain the historical background, adding, “Yes with the industrial revolution and when all the men went to war and women began working in factories. So they had to wear pants because you can’t be doing heavy machine work with…”
The candid conversations and confessions between the three ladies from three different generations offered insight on several subjects. No wonder fans waited for new podcast after every episode.