Kareena Kapoor has become something of a style icon for the Gen Next, sparking off fashion fads with her zippered Asoka dhoti saris, Chameli cholis (blouses), Jab We Met Patiala salwars and 3 Idiots glasses and scarves. Now, the Bollywood star believes that her Bodyguard wardrobe will become just as trendsetting. The Salman Khan starrer is this year’s Eid dhamaka (explosion) and opens on Wednesday.

“It’s not out-of-the-box high-gloss fashion like Tashan (2008) and Kambakkht Ishq (2009). Bodyguard is more everyday, ready-to-wear clothes that spell casual ethnic and chic,” Kareena points out. “Whether it’s the salwar-kurtas, jeans and tees or the saris, they are the kind that would appeal to every girl across the country because my character is a small townie rather than a model. Also, my fans seem to like the desi girl look going by the popularity of Geet (her character in Jab We Met, 2007) and Pia (3 Idiots, 2009), so I have my hopes up. We have played around with innovative colours schemes by mixing together different dyes to create interesting palettes on screen.”

Her stylist Manish Malhotra, who’s designed her wardrobe agrees with her. “It’s a cool Indian look and should bring back the long, straight kurtas that can be teamed with salwars and Patialas and accessories like lots of oxidised bangles and chamkeeli (glittering) bindis,” he says.

“These kurtas and lace-chiffon saris, with tantalising cholis, could even flag off a new line of evening wear.” Kareena has been talking about launching her label for a while now and Manish has his string of designer stores. So can we expect a Bodyguard line from the duo to hit the market soon? “That takes time and right now I don’t even have time to meet my family. I’ve been catching up with them as I commute between cities, countries, studios and promotional events,” Kareena sighs.

Manish, who is juggling Karan Johar’s campus romance Student Of The Year, Kunal Kohli’s love epic with Shahid Kapoor and Priyanka Chopra and Saif Ali Khan’s Bond-Bourne thriller Agent Vinod, admits to being just as rushed as his star-friend. “I don’t do prêt lines but if the clothes catch on, I’m sure imitations will flood the market.”