After Kareena Kapoor Khan, Neena Gupta took to her Instagram handle to flaunt her original handmade Kolhapuri chappals. This comes amidst Prada’s controversial ‘toe ring sandals’, showcased at their Men's Spring/Summer 2026 fashion show in Milan, which bear a striking resemblance to India’s traditional Kolhapuri chappals.
On Monday, Neena Gupta shared a video on Instagram, proudly displaying her pair of traditional slippers. She said, “So, these Kolhapuri slippers are in the news these days. Once, I did something with Laxmikant Berde. I don't remember what it was. So I asked him, ‘Can you get me these slippers from Kolhapur?’ He said, ‘Yes.’ So he got them for me.”
“These are the most beautiful chappals I have ever had, most beautiful and handmade. I love them. Thank you, Laxmikant. You are not there anymore, but I love you.” The video was captioned, “Real toh real hota hai.”
Several fans chimed in. One commented, “Kolhapuri is our OG pride, and Laxmikantji is a great treasure of our industry.”
Another wrote, “Neena ji, this moment truly touched our hearts! The Kolhapuri chappal gifted by Laxmikant Berde ji isn’t just a pair of footwear — it’s a memory stitched with love. The one you’re wearing is known as ‘चेपली कोल्हापुरी,’ one of the most iconic and loved types of Kolhapuri chappals. Thank you for keeping our art alive. Your words mean the world to our artisans.”
A fan also added, “Aww… surely they are your prized possession. You’ve kept them with such love and care. Thank you so much for taking us down memory lane.”
Just a day earlier, Kareena Kapoor, who is currently vacationing in Greece, had shared pictures of her silver “OG Kolhapuri” chappals, which looked stunning on her feet. She joked that she’d always prefer them over Prada slippers.
Meanwhile, a PIL has been filed in the Bombay High Court against Prada for allegedly copying the design and to seek compensation for artisans who have preserved this 800-year-old tradition. The luxury brand has since stated that the sandals were “inspired by traditional Indian handcrafted footwear with a centuries-old heritage.”
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