How did English Vinglish happen?

Well, Gauri (Shinde, the director) and I have common friends in the industry. When we were shooting Paa, she (Gauri is married to Balki, the maker of Cheeni Kum and Paa) narrated the story of English Vinglish to me and I was very excited about it.

What about the script got you on board?

Gauri is a very nice and easy person, and I knew her type of films would also be nice and easy. English Vinglish is a happy, feel-good film, yet it’s got depth. Both Gauri and Balki are people who are very sorted. They don’t carry baggage and that’s the reason even the films they make don’t carry baggage! In that respect, Gauri, Balki and me are very similar people, so I found it easy to adapt to them.

And it definitely helps that Gauri, with her natural curls, real body and confidence, comes across as the quintessential Sabya girl?

Oh yes! And how! I must admit here that though English Vinglish stars Sridevi, and I have been a big fan of hers since childhood, it is just coincidental. Normally I have the directors pursuing me but this film is different. I bullied Gauri to make sure that I did the film!

How was it meeting Sridevi for the first time?

Sridevi has been wearing the (Sabya) label for a while but as a customer. So let’s just say she had a relationship with Sabyasachi saris, not with Sabyasachi! The first time I met her was at the look test. It was easy, polite and very professional. Initially she was a bit shocked since she was probably expecting a huge suitcase full of clothes but there I was, with just a small bag of clothes — some cotton saris and short-sleeve blouses (see picture top right). She slipped into the look of the character so easily, just as easily as she slipped into the character!

What is the look of the character she plays?

She’s a simple middle-class Indian woman who has had no global exposure. She makes addoos at home! The look had to be authentic and for me it was a look that someone insensitive would call behenji. It is not a Sabya look per se. It’s prissy and very matchy-matchy — cotton saris and Rubia blouses. Her character could also sleep in a sari! And then there is the bindi and the choti.... Here was a woman who doesn’t know a world beyond saris. And it’s rare to find someone who knows the sari as well as Sridevi. Only two people can make a cotton sari look sexy — Sridevi and Rani Mukerji. They drape it so effortlessly.

It’s easier for a middle-class Indian woman to go abroad and buy a new wardrobe of jeans and miniskirts. Is there any such transition of look for Sridevi?

No, there is no transition in her look, only in her mindset. The change in look is very linear. She goes to New York and she definitely wants to put her best foot forward. As I said, the look had to be authentic and effortless.

Where did you source the saris from?

Le Pakshi, Manjusha, Mrignayani... mostly from Dakshinapan, all the emporiums of different states.

How was the experience of working on English Vinglish?

The director and I were on the same page — right from the length of the blouse sleeve to the choice of mangalsutra.... Gauri was a pleasure to work with. There was no stress, no running around and no last-minute decision changes and no drama. It was super organised, super efficient and I’m sorry but I have no harrowing tales to tell you! (Laughs) I didn’t even know when we started and when we finished the film. I have to admit that women are far more organised than men!

And how was it working with Sridevi?

It was quite relaxed. She’s a thorough professional, very polite and courteous.

What’s next for you on the film front?

Nothing! I am taking a sabbatical from Bollywood because I need to concentrate on my business. I started Bollywood when my business was taking off but now I really need to consolidate. Honestly, I am getting too many offers for interior projects also from within the country and outside, so now I might have to re-examine the possibility of climbing that vertical. Bollywood is on the back-burner unless something earth-shattering comes calling. Thankfully, I have quenched my thirst for Bollywood so there’s no pressure. I got a National award for my first film (Sanjay Leela Bhansali’s Black), so it can’t really get better than that!