Chinese actress Wang Churan takes fashion notes from India—but is it inspiration or appropriation? Aishwarya and Kareena did it first, and better

Just the first-look of Chinese actress Wang Churan from the upcoming fantasy drama Fu Sheng (Tales of the Floating World) surfaced online, and it caused drama! Fans were first immediately captivated by her elegant blue outfit. But, the flowing scarf draped over her shoulders sparked a heated cross-cultural debate. To many Indian viewers, the styling felt instantly familiar.


The look reminded fans of a fashion trend that dominated Bollywood in the late 1990s and early 2000s, where actresses paired Western-inspired dresses with dupatta-style drapes, creating a fusion of modern and traditional fashion.

While some praised Fu Sheng for embracing a globally recognizable aesthetic, others began asking a more controversial question: Was this cultural inspiration, or cultural appropriation?



For people in India it was easy to see the similarity. Long before social media mood boards and international fashion collaborations became the norm, Bollywood actresses were already experimenting with the dress-and-dupatta combination.

The style became especially popular in romantic dramas and family films, where flowing scarves added a touch of elegance and tradition to contemporary outfits. As soon as Wang Churan's images began circulating online, many viewers pointed to familiar Bollywood references.


Several Indian actresses famously embraced similar styling decades earlier. Aishwarya Rai Bachchan showcased comparable looks in Dil Ka Rishta, while Kareena Kapoor Khan sported variations of the trend across multiple Hindi films. Actress Preeti Jhangiani also became associated with the aesthetic through her appearance in Mohabbatein.

For Indians, the things that Wang Churan wore reminded them of old Bollywood style. This made Churan's style feel like something that was already done before not something exciting.

When some saw pictures of Churan online, they started talking about who started these fashion trends and where they really came from and not about how good Wang Churan looked in Indian-styled attire.

The conversation took a sharper turn when Chinese fans pushed back against comparisons to Indian fashion. Many argued that the styling should instead be viewed through the lens of traditional Chinese aesthetics, particularly the qipao (also known as the cheongsam), a form-fitting Chinese dress that originated in Shanghai during the 1920s and evolved from Manchu clothing traditions.

According to supporters of this view, the outfit reflected Chinese cultural elements rather than borrowing from Indian fashion. That explanation, however, did not convince everyone.


Some Indian social media users argued that while fashion inspiration between cultures is common, the specific scarf styling looked remarkably similar to the way a dupatta is traditionally draped. The disagreement soon escalated into a larger conversation about where inspiration ends and appropriation begins.

For many Indians, the dupatta is far more than a fashion accessory. Traditionally worn with outfits such as the salwar kameez and lehenga, the long scarf carries cultural, historical, and religious significance across different regions of the country. Beyond completing an outfit, it often symbolizes tradition, modesty, and heritage.

Because of that cultural importance, some viewers felt strongly about how the styling was being interpreted online, especially when comparisons between Indian and Chinese fashion traditions began to emerge.

The controversy arrives as anticipation continues to grow for Fu Sheng, one of iQIYI's most talked-about upcoming fantasy dramas. Adapted from the novel Fusheng Wuyu (Tales of a Floating Life), the series blends mythology, romance, and fantasy elements.

The drama stars Chen Zheyuan as Ao Chi, also known as Lu Fu Sheng, a young marshal who secretly possesses another identity as the Crown Prince of the East Sea Dragon Clan.


Opposite him is Wang Churan as Sha Luo, a thousand-year-old tree spirit who disguises herself as the reserved owner of the Buting Teahouse, where she exchanges magical tea for stories about spirits and demons.

Whether Wang Churan's now-viral look was inspired by Bollywood fashion, Chinese tradition, or a combination of both, one thing is for sure: Churan's costume has started a conversation before the drama even releases. Wang Churan's costume is really making people talk.