Set is the new home for actors working on long-running shows. Hence, makers are building specialised rooms on the sets for actors by providing innovative vanity vans that make them feel at home away from home. Sangeeta Yadav tells you more
Untill a few months back, I was in a vanity van and now I’ve my personal make-up room on the sets of Kundali Bhagya. I feel your room should resonate with who you are. My priority is always to keep it clean and hygienic. It is cozy and simple. I always keep coming back to my room in between shots. When I have ample, I am in my own room listening to music, reading a book or simply exercising. Also, making my room cozy, according to my liking, comfort, helps me not homesick. The fun element that I have added is Disney cartoons stickers. I also have small frames with punchlines and quotes on it. I feel very fortunate to have an opportunity to make do my make-up room which indeed is like a home away from home. It is simple yet elegant and attractive.
— Shraddha Arya who plays Preeta Arora in Kundali Bhagya
I stock up lots of food, make-up, and dumbbells in my vanity van. For a recent sequence in Udaan, I had to look fit and I needed to consistently work out, so it helped me a lot. I host lunches and dinners in my vanity van. We’ve long chat sessions and keep playing pranks and fooling around in the van. Having said all this, my own house is something which I will always miss as I have my family around me there. To make my life easy I have a small gym in my make-up room and now I am planning to get a mini refrigerator and microwave so I can keep my diet on track.
— Vijayendra Kumeria, who plays Sooraj in Udaan
Vanity is actor’s second home. We get ready into our looks, eat food, prepare our dialogues, take a nap in our between shots. For me, it's very small and cozy place to be in. I also prepare my own food and eat it since I don’t eat food on the sets. I also read a book sometimes and listen to music. A decade ago, there was no concept of a vanity van and we used to face a lot of problems. I remember when I had shot for some ads and music videos, we had to change in cars and we used to look for nearby hotels or go to restrooms and make-up was done all under umbrellas or sheds. If I could customise my vanity van, it would have a nice kitchen setup where I would prepare my diet meals, a big comfy bed to laze around, a fridge filled with my salads and fruits. Also, a TV screen where I would watch my shows
— Sameksha Singh who plays Olympia in Porus
I’ve just moved into a customised made vanity room for myself. Fortunately, while it was being made, I was there around to give inputs and thus it is made as per my taste. The colour combination of green & blue makes it look fresh. There are a few wall hangings which again add a lot of energy to the room. I cut off from the outer world in that particular time. There is no question of feeling homesick as I’m home on time and many Vinny my wife is on the sets visiting me. So that thought has never occurred to me. If I would have to expand it my vanity van, it will definitely have a jacuzzi, kitchen set-up and gym and some plants.
— Dheeraj Dhoopar, who plays Karan luthra in Kundali Bhagya
We spend 12-14 hours of our day in between our vanity and sets and miss our vanity when we are away from it. Others on set also like to come and sit in our room as it very cozy and gives out a great positive feeling. My room is quite special and it is very classy and nice. Recently, during Christmas, we put up a small tree in our vanity and enjoyed decorating it together. We even have a small section where we keep our idol or lord Ganesh and light incense sticks each day which creates a positive environment and makes us feel good
— Sheen Das who plays Pooja Naren Vyas in Piyaa Albela
My vanity van is like my den where I escape during the break time. It is a very comfortable place and I like to keep it minimalistic. I’m a tech-savvy person and I play a lot of games on my iPad in my spare time that relaxes me. I’ve placed a bean bag, a rug and a bed where I can lie down. I have also decorated it with gifts and photo frames gifted by my fans as I love them and each one of it is special for me. I have stacked up a lot of healthy food along with some gym weights which can help me remain fit
— Sharad Malhotra, who plays Rishi in Kasam Tere Pyaar Ki