It promises to be a perfectly-designed film. As ace fashion designer Sabyasachi Mukherjee wraps up the script of his directorial debut venture, he only has two actors in mind for the film — Vidya Balan and Rani Mukerji. “I have completed my script with all the finishing touches. And I am very satisfied with the outcome,” says Mukerji. “The only problem is that I have been too busy with my other fashion-related assignments to take up the film,” he adds.
But the designer insists he isn’t worried about the casting. “Whenever I decide to start filming, I will approach Vidya and Rani for the parts. And fortunately, I share very special equations with both of them. And I know I can always bank on their support. We understand each others’ sensibilities very well.”

Money matters
Mukerji, who will be participating in Mumbai as well as Delhi fashion weeks, informs that “certain producers are also ready” to back the movie.

“However, my first set of priorities includes fashion stuff like stores, shows and designing. After all, I can’t deviate from things, which are my primary source of bread and butter,” he adds.

For the uninitiated, apart from designing for his fashion label Sabyasachi, the Kolkata-based designer is also famous for costume design in films.

He has created costumes for movies like Black (2005), Baabul (2006) , Laaga Chunari Mein Daag (2007), Paa (2009), Raavan (2010) and Guzaarish (2010). “My hands are full right now,” says Mukherjee with a laugh. And I don’t want to mess things up in a hurry. So it’s better I take things up only when I can easily concentrate.”

Claiming that he’s neck-deep in work as he designs several pieces for his multiple fashion shows this season, including the finale at Wills Lifestyle India Fashion Week in Delhi, he adds, “You can understand what my state of mind will be right now. I am running around trying to come up with impressive and different collections for both the fashion weeks.”

Vidya Balan is on a signing spree. Her career is on the upswing post Paa and Ishqiya. She has even started dressing better. She is currently working on Rajkumar Gupta’s No One Killed Jessica and is also considering Deepa Mehta’s Midnight’s Children.

Sabyasachi is one of Vidya’s favourite designers, and he styled her look in Paa. She wears his creations at events and the duo is friends. So, it is no surprise that he wants her to be part of his directorial debut. He thinks she is the quintessential Indian beauty. Prateik Babber is the male lead in the film. Konkona Sen Sharma recently said that she finds Prateik sexy and she might also sign on the dotted line.

The unconventional casting makes sense and is in sync with the designer’s unconventional and Indian sensibilities. His designs are distinctly desi, and Konkona, Vidya and Prateik look very Indian. The film is an out-and-out romantic comedy and will take people by surprise because very few know that the reserved, shy and down-to-earth Sabyasachi has a funny side.

The movie is set in London and Punjab and based on NRIs. It will go on the floors in June, as some minor details have to be finalized and finishing touches have to be added.

Sabyasachi Mukerji said that it will be a while before the film goes on the floors because he is still writing the script. He has recently designed for Paa, Raavana and Guzaarish and for Baabul in the past.