Rohit Bal Passes Away at 63: Kareena Kapoor, Ananya Panday, and Bollywood Stars Mourn Fashion Icon

The Indian fashion industry has lost one of its most celebrated designers, Rohit Bal, who passed away on November 1 at the age of 63. Known as the "Master of Fabric and Fantasy," Bal was a founding member of the Fashion Design Council of India (FDCI) and a driving force in the evolution of Indian couture. FDCI Chairman Sunil Sethi confirmed his death, stating that Bal was taken to the hospital but sadly did not survive.

Bollywood Remembers Rohit Bal with Heartfelt Tributes

Rohit Bal, affectionately called "Gudda" by close friends, had strong ties with Bollywood. Many celebrities paid tribute to him, sharing memories and heartfelt messages on social media. Ananya Panday, who recently served as a showstopper for Bal’s collection “Kaaynaat” at Lakme Fashion Week, shared a photo with him on her Instagram story, writing, “Gudda Om Shanti.” Kareena Kapoor also posted old photos of Bal, while Priyanka Chopra expressed her sorrow, saying, “Gone too young. Rest Peacefully #RohitBal.”

Sidharth Malhotra conveyed his condolences with the words, “Deeply saddened by the loss. May his soul rest in peace. Om Shanti.” Aditi Rao Hydari posted a fitting tribute, writing, “Rest in Style. Rest in Beauty #RohitBal.”

Rohit Bal was renowned not only for his innovative designs but also for his fearless views on the state of Indian fashion. In a 2011 interview with The Voice of Fashion, Bal openly spoke about the challenges he faced as a designer in India. He recounted the hurdles he had to overcome to host his iconic show, “Gulbagh,” at Quli Khan’s tomb near Qutub Minar, saying, “All the applications I had to write, I would never do it again.”

Bal often lamented the lack of support for fashion in India, sharing his belief that the industry was underappreciated compared to Bollywood and cricket. “By and large, there is 0.1 percent of the population interested in fashion. The Indian government or the bureaucrats have never done anything for fashion,” he said, expressing his disappointment in the limited recognition fashion received in the country.

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