Sandeep Khosla Reacts to Urvashi Rautela’s ‘Gandi Copy’ of Gigi Hadid’s 2023 NMACC Saree

The line between inspiration and imitation in luxury fashion can be razor-thin, but veteran Indian designer Sandeep Khosla was unequivocal in his criticism of actor Urvashi Rautela’s alleged “copied” red-carpet look.

Sandeep Khosla calls out Urvashi Rautela’s alleged copy

In an August 29 interview with NDTV, Khosla spoke candidly about plagiarism in couture after Rautela faced online criticism for wearing an outfit strikingly similar to an iconic Abu Jani-Sandeep Khosla saree previously worn by supermodel Gigi Hadid.

The controversy unfolded at the 2026 Cannes Film Festival, where Rautela appeared in an ivory chikankari-style saree paired with an elaborate gold-jewelled blouse. Fashion enthusiasts quickly pointed out its resemblance to the bespoke Abu Jani-Sandeep Khosla creation worn by Hadid in March 2023 at the grand opening of the Nita Mukesh Ambani Cultural Centre (NMACC) in Mumbai.

Hadid’s hand-embroidered ensemble reportedly took nearly a year to create. Rautela’s 2026 outfit, designed by Mihir Designer Studio, was subsequently criticised online, with some fashion observers calling it a “gandi copy”.

‘If you want to plagiarise, make a better version’

Asked about the growing prevalence of replicas in Indian luxury fashion, Khosla directly addressed the controversy.

“If you want to plagiarise and you want to copy, make a better version of what we are doing,” he said.

Recalling his reaction to seeing Rautela’s outfit online, Khosla said he had recently come across posts discussing the look and its resemblance to Hadid’s original ensemble.

He also criticised the way such replicas are promoted on social media, arguing that designers should bring their own creative interpretation rather than reproduce another artist’s work.

“Firstly, Urvashi is wearing an exact copy of our garment without a thought,” Khosla said, questioning whether the actor lacked exposure to the original design or was simply too familiar with it. He also took issue with an influencer allegedly promoting ways to recreate the outfit.

According to Khosla, there should be a meaningful creative distinction between an original couture creation and a copy. He argued that designers should develop their own artistic interpretation rather than resort to what he described as “very easy fashion”.

The designer’s comments have reignited a broader debate over originality, intellectual property and the growing culture of recreating high-profile celebrity looks. While red-carpet fashion often draws inspiration from established trends, Khosla’s criticism highlights the distinction between creative influence and reproducing a designer’s work almost identically.