Sold on Old

It’s hard to imagine that once upon a time fashion designer Varun Bahl used to switch on the knob of his boxy television and sit up through the night to watch shows like Buniyaad,Khaandaan and Nukkad. “Add Yeh Jo Hai Zindagi to the list,” he says,with a lop-sided grin. Suddenly,it seems that Bahl is re-playing the scenes from these shows in his head. Discussion veers around TV programming a decade back,and this one seems purposeful. “I grew up watching Doordarshan’s family dramas,and now I am seriously thinking of putting together a family soap. I have a script in mind. Current crop of Indian soaps and the so-called reality TV is so depressing. I know I have no experience in television production,but its idea excites me,” says Bahl,who was in Chandigarh for the first time to showcase his collection as part of the ‘Magique for Arte’ luxury trunk show.

“I have always wanted to come to Chandigarh,but never pursued it till this opportunity came up. I believe that the market here is very mature,” said Bahl,who brought with him his signature garments like embroidered lehengas,Anarkali suits as well as select ensembles from the crisp and classic Varun Bahl-Karan Johar menswear line.

The desire to spin some drama on television,as the designer explains,won’t be just limited to him togging the characters in stylish drapes. Bahl is in talks with ‘friends’ at a production house on his ideas and is slowly but surely understanding the dynamics of Indian television programming. “If we look at the way American soaps run,it is extremely interesting. If there’s a hit prime time show on a Wednesday,people would refrain from sending a dinner invite to friends for that day,” says Bahl,who seems to have done his homework well.

He remembers the time Chitrahaar would beam with a raucous Kishore Kumar yodeling away and how the streets would be deserted. “I was a big fan of Hum Log too. Once I bumped into the character of the mother,Bhagwanti,at a market. I was a young boy and went on to ask how her daadi was feeling,” reminisces the designer.