Id, this year, was taken over by “Tiger”. During the Eid prayers, hundreds of young Muslim boys and men were seen wearing the black and white check keffiyah (scarf) that has now become a rage after actor Salman Khan wore it in his latest blockbuster Ek Tha Tiger. At the idgah on Monday morning, thousands offered namaaz wearing the traditional skull caps but more than half of the Muslim population there had the keffiyah slung around their necks.
“This year we have sold out the keffiyahs even before Id and we had to order more over the weekend. There is a sudden craze for the scarf which is usually used as a headgear in the Arab nations. But people here are wearing it around their necks or using it as a stole,” said Fareed Ahmad, a shop keeper at Akbari Gate.
Interestingly, it is not the Muslims alone who are reaching out for the keffiyah, Hindu are also buying it in dozens.
“I have purchased about a dozen pieces, priced around `100, and I will gift them to my friends on Id,” said Samir Shrinetra, a young MBA student.
According to him, the keffiyah in black and white checks — a variation of the home grown gamcha that is an essential part of accessory in northern India — is now a style statement after Salman Khan wore it in Ek Tha Tiger. While the men and boys are making a bid for keffiyahs, the girls are also aping the dresses worn by Katrina Kaif in the film.
“Shararas are out and in the past three days, I have been working overtime stitching ankle-length kurtas that are worn over leggings. This outfit is worn by Katrina in the film and I had to go and watch the film in order to be able to replicate the design. I am getting orders for the post-Id deliveries too,” said Deepika Kohli, a boutique owner.
Meanwhile, if Ek Tha Tiger has changed fashions this Id, the film is also reaping the harvest of the festive seasons. All 105 shows a day in the four multiplexes and three single screen theatres in Lucknow are fully booked till Wednesday.
“I am spending the money I got as Idi in taking my friends to Ek Tha Tiger,” said 12-year-old Faisal Khan.