Bangalore-based designer creates Deepika Padukone's new vanity van

BANGALORE: Around one and a half years ago, Bangalore-based interior designer Vinita Chaitanya got an assignment that she thinks of as one of the most exciting of her career. Chaitanya had just finished working with actress Deepika Padukone on her newly acquired Mumbai home, and one day, she dropped on to the sets of Chennai Express, where Padukone was shooting for the subsequently superhit movie. Padukone met her in her vanity van those home-away-from-homes so beloved of Bollywood stars where they spend hours every day waiting for the next shot to be called or touching up make-up or just taking short cat-naps between interminably long shoots.

Padukone wanted Chaitanya to do something about her van, and, it appeared, with good reason.

"Well, frankly I was quite horrified to see Deepika's van," says Chaitanya. "We had just finished doing up her fabulous new home, and yet here she was, spending the better part of her day in a converted bus with old vinyl flooring that just about offered basic comforts. Deepika agreed ruefully that she had often thought of doing up her van but never seemed to find the time," recalls Chaitanya. She turned to the designer and asked "Will you do it?" Although Chaitanya had never taken up a project like this before, she was excited. In a minute, she was on.

Initially, she thought of remodeling the existing structure a bus hired from one Yadavji but then it seemed as if doing up a whole new structure would work better. She got Yadavji to deliver a customized body; while most standard buses are 35 ft long, 8 ft broad and 6.5 ft tall, Padukone's van is 41 ft X 8 ft X 7.5 ft. Chaitanya also got to choose where the windows would be placed and their height. The van is divided into three main areas: a small sitting area where Padukone can receive guests and meet the press; a private zone with a comfortable lounge where she can relax, watch TV or take a nap if she wants; and a staff zone with a pantry and a washroom. Apart from this, the van also incorporates Padukone's separate loo and shower area, closets for her clothes and accessories, and a make-up area.

"The constraints of working in a small space were many. At times, the van has to accommodate a lot of people for instance, when she is getting dressed and there is a make-up person, a hair person, a costume guy... it can get quite cramped. Apart from that, the whole question of maneuverability of the entire structure. We can't forget that this is a moving vehicle that must navigate through roads and traffic. Designing a comfortable, stylish space within these constraints was a challenge," says Chaitanya.

She wanted to do something different with the decor as well.

While most stars tend to go for a sleek, luxury feel to their vans interiors in neutral colours, curved corners and smooth finishes; think first class aircraft cabins Chaitanya decided to go with a vintage look and feel. She used pastel colours, and a variety of materials for the interior such as paper, fabric, lace, linen and silk, creating a look that she describes as "fresh and feminine". "It is completely different from her home, which is more formal and glamorous. The van is a more fun space - quirky and casual and working on it was like decorating a small cottage. Designing small spaces is challenging because they require great attention to detail. But it was nice to be creative for someone who is also very creative," she says.

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Bangalore-based designer creates Deepika Padukone's new vanity van