If a formula works in Bollywood, then they rinse it as much as they can. Case in point: two films starring Kareena Kapoor (as she was then) and Tusshar Kapoor released a year apart both featuring songs sung by Anuradha Sriram about dupattas (veils).

Both Mujhe Kuch Kehna Hai (2001) and Jeena Sirf Mere Liye (2002) had Bebo grooving in suitably Y2K outfits to tunes about her dupatta (although as we’ll see, a song about dupattas doesn’t always guarantee you dupattas). IMDB only lists Shabina Khan as a costume designer for Mujhe Kuch Kehna Hai, but its highly likely Kareena’s outfits were designed by Manish Malhotra for both films – the silhouettes and embellishments are peak Manish-Bebo in the early 2000s. Let’s take a look!

Aa Rang De Dupatta Mara from Much Kuch Kehna Hai

Bebo starts this number off in a pink crop top and flared trouser combo paired with a matching dupatta.

The top is asymmetrical with a thicker strap on one side, and a spaghetti strap on the other. The top is covered in beading and sequin work, with a beaded fringe around the hem. It’s a subtle nod back to her outfit from Bole Choodiyan in K3G.

The trousers have a flared fit, with a split at the side hem. The waistband has a beaded border matching the top, and the split at the hem is also outlined with tone-on-tone sequins.

The dupatta is in a relatively narrow width (probably because it’s designed more as a prop than for coverage), and features a simple sequin border in AB sequins on the two longer sides. The ends have a wider embellished border which looks like it was embroidered separately and then appliquéd on, with beaded fringe finishing it off.

If you’re wondering how much influence Britney Spears had in the early 2000s, look no further than Kareena’s next outfit in this song which is a red spandex jumpsuit. It’s not a direct copy, but we’d say significantly inspired by the original in Oops I Did It Again. The jumpsuit features a high neck embellished with red sequins and zip front opening. The legs are flared and the sleeves are finished in pointed ends. The back is open with a series of straps across. Where’s the dupatta? Good question…

We next get this black outfit reminiscent of Kareena’s look in You Are My Soniya from K3G. The top here is covered in black sequins with cut out detailing and is paired with yet another pair of flared trousers and a sequin shirt which you could argue is kind of like a dupatta? No, we’re not convinced either…

We then have another crop top and flared trouser combo, this time with the trousers covered in embellishment and the top featuring a heavier border and straps. Still no dupatta in sight.

We round the song out with this mint and silver ensemble of – you guessed it – a crop top (this time a halter) with flared trousers. She finally found her dupatta though, so points for that!

Thoughts and prayers for the background dancer’s outfits.

Dupatta Hai Dupatta from Jeena Sirf Mere Liye

This song starts with Bebo wearing an asymmetric top embellished with sequins and a beaded fringe at the hem (for a change). Instead of flared trousers, we do get a layered handkerchief hem skirt with a wide sequinned waistband. There may have been a dupatta briefly right at the beginning of the song.

We then move into the most traditional look Kareena sports across both songs, with this village belle-esque wrap skirt and choli combo in a turqouise bandhani print embellished with pale gold gota work. There’s even briefly a dupatta with a darker blue and gold gota work border!

Next we have a red sequinned dress featuring a thigh slit and low back with straps. She has a dupatta and it’s even red (the song being about her laal dupatta). We’re making progress!

Lastly we have this royal blue dress with handkerchief hem and beaded insert at the v-neckline. It’s pared with some kind of mesh (possibly knitted) dupatta. Sure, why not.

Bonus hawt dupatta action.