Click here to follow Screen Digital on YouTube and stay updated with the latest from the world of cinema.
© IE Online Media Services Pvt Ltd
Tags:
Conversations about film stars’ on-set demands often centre on their extravagant vanity van requirements. It turns out that some celebrities go a step further by having their vans custom-designed by celebrity interior designers. One such name that has recently come to light is Deepika Padukone. The actress, who recently made headlines for moving into a Rs 100-crore quadruplex apartment at Bandra Bandstand in Mumbai, had roped in renowned interior designer Vinita Chaitanya to design her new home. While speaking about her association with the actress, Vinita revealed that she has not only designed multiple homes for Deepika but also two of her vanity vans.
In a conversation with Masoom Minawala, Vinita shared, “I’ve done her home many times—from her first apartment at Beaumonde to the one on top, which is her office. Then I did her van. In fact, two vans.”
During her research, Vinita discovered the nuances behind vanity van requirements. “There’s a large van and a smaller van—the smaller one is for closer commutes, while the larger one is used on bigger studio sets,” she explained. As part of this research, she also stepped inside Shah Rukh Khan’s vanity van while he was filming with Deepika Padukone.
“What was interesting was that while researching other vans, I walked into Shah Rukh Khan’s van for the first time. They were shooting a film together,” she recalled.
Comparing the two, Vinita noted that Deepika had very specific requirements, while Shah Rukh’s van was designed for comfort and functionality. “His van was fabulous—it even had a little gym inside. He’s such a cool guy,” she said.
While Vinita did not reveal her fees, she admitted that she does not work with fixed budgets. Recalling a light-hearted incident, she said, “I don’t know how many millions things cost—I’m terrible with numbers. Even today in Dubai, I saw something while shopping with a client and told them, ‘Don’t ask me the price. You check if you can afford it, and if you can, that’s what I want you to buy.’”
Explaining her approach to budgeting, Vinita added, “I don’t budget—the homeowner does. Everyone comes with a number they’re comfortable with, and if I feel I can deliver within that, I take up the project. Sometimes budgets aren’t realistic, honestly, and I feel I may not be able to do my best. I still try.”
She further shared that while she has worked with accessible brands like Ikea in the past, most of her current clients are less price-conscious. “People who come to me are either collectors or own homes ranging between 15,000 to 30,000 square feet on average. I only take up six projects at a time.”
Click here to follow Screen Digital on YouTube and stay updated with the latest from the world of cinema.
