Aishwarya Rai scored on style at Oscars

Indians did not take home any prizes at the 83rd Annual Academy Awards, but Indian beauties scored full marks on the red carpet with their chic and understated attire.

Aishwarya Rai Bachchan went for a refreshing makeover from her done-to-death bahu avatar. Unlike her previous red carpet debacles, this time she shimmered in a metallic brown Armani Prive gown cinched at the waist, complete with amber sequin detailing and a Jimmy Choo clutch.

Another Bollywood beauty well known for her dare bare designs with more than a few fashion faux pas to her name, made a surprisingly elegant picture at the Oscars. Mallika Sherawat looked sultry in a Marc Bouwer white sequinned gown. With a thigh- high slit and a modest display of cleavage, the actress kept her look chic and understated.

Musician A. R. Rahman’s wife Saira Banu too looked picture perfect in an Indian ensemble comprising an easy-on-the-eye gold sherwani teamed with pants, an elegantly-draped head wrap and ethnic gold earrings. Her gold outfit was spot on trend: the colour was also worn by actresses Gwyneth Paltrow and Celine Dion.

But A. R. Rahman’s double nomination came to nought and India-born Tariq Anwar, vying for a best editor Oscar for The King’s Speech also failed to strike it rich.

Rahman was nominated in the best original score and best original song categories for Danny Boyle’s 127 Hours . UK-based NRI film editor Tariq Anwar failed to win the best editing Oscar for The King’s Speech . Anwar, 65, is a former BBC staffer born in New Delhi and raised in Lucknow. His resume includes hits such as Revolutionary Road and American Beauty.