Kiara's 'War 2' bikini look is trending, but Kareena's 'Tashan' look made history even without social media

The internet has found its latest obsession, Kiara Advani in a bikini. Ever since War 2 dropped its teaser, trailer, and the scorching track Aavan Jaavan, all eyes have been glued to Kiara’s bold new avatar. In a shiny lemon-yellow-meets-lime-green bikini, the actress looks effortlessly glamorous, with her glowing skin and impeccably sculpted figure setting social media on fire. From Twitter fan wars to viral Instagram edits, it’s clear that this look is going to be remembered.

But for many Bollywood buffs, this ‘moment’ triggered a flashback to a different era, before Instagram grids and paparazzi reels were the norm. Enter Kareena Kapoor Khan, in Tashan (2008), turning heads in that now-iconic parrot green bikini and blazing a trail with her much-talked-about size-zero transformation.

Kiara may have the internet, but Kareena had the impact. And she did it without the advantage of viral trends or trending hashtags.

The Bikini That Broke the Pre-Instagram Era

Back in 2008, Kareena’s look in Tashan wasn’t just a fashion moment; it was a cultural shift. Clad in a vibrant green bikini, strutting to the beats of Chhaliya, Bebo rewrote Bollywood’s standards of onscreen glam. She didn’t just show up looking fabulous; she shocked the nation. Fans couldn’t stop talking, tabloids were on overdrive, and a new trend was born: zero figure.

And this transformation didn’t come easy. Kareena, who admitted to weighing 68 kg before the film, dropped to 48 kg through a mix of rigorous yoga sessions and a meticulously planned diet, crafted by nutritionist Rujuta Diwekar. In interviews, she revealed that producer Aditya Chopra challenged her to look ultra-fit for the role, and she delivered. “I was determined,” she had said. “I was ready to challenge my genes, stand there in a bikini and show him that I can have amazing abs.”

Even as critics questioned her methods, Kareena stood tall. She debunked myths about starvation or crash diets and spoke openly about embracing balanced eating and trusting her body. “I can’t live without wholesome food,” she declared at the time. “I would not have been able to conceive had I not eaten the way I did.” For many, her transformation became an inspiring milestone, not just about looking good, but doing it the healthy way.

Cut to 2025: Kiara’s Turn to Shine

Fast forward to now, and Kiara Advani is creating her own bikini legacy. As War 2 gears up for release, the buzz around Kiara’s beach-body look is impossible to miss. Her lemon-lime bikini moment from Aavan Jaavan has been trending non-stop and for good reason. The actress looks fierce, flawless, and absolutely in command of her visual narrative.

Behind that effortless look, however, was a careful transformation. Kiara’s longtime nutritionist Nicole spoke about how the actress stuck to her love for “ghar ka khana,” while also tightening the reins on her macros. Forget juice cleanses or extreme dieting, Kiara’s journey was about precision and consistency. “We elevated her routine with calculated adjustments, especially increasing protein intake, while keeping her in a calorie deficit,” Nicole told Pinkvilla.

Even the smallest elements, like a drizzle of oil or a sprinkle of cheese, were tracked. But the goal wasn’t to strip away the joy of eating. It was about balance, sustainability, and making sure Kiara looked as stunning as she felt. The result? A body that glows, not just because of good lighting, but because of hard work, discipline, and a deep respect for nourishment.

Two Eras, One Statement

While Kiara Advani’s War 2 look has become the latest trendsetter, it’s only fair to acknowledge that Kareena Kapoor walked so others could run. In a pre-Instagram world, she defined what it meant to go bold, take risks, and own your body. Her zero-figure phase and green bikini didn’t just change her career, it changed how we looked at fitness, glamour, and leading ladies in Hindi cinema. So whether it was Kareena swaying to Chhaliya or Kiara heating up Aavan Jaavan, both moments remind us: it’s not just about the bikini. It’s about the woman wearing it, the story she tells with it, and the work she puts in to make it her own.