Filmmaking has been an integral part of Vikram Phadnis’s life in the past decade. The couturier turned director with the Marathi film Hrudayantar in 2017, following it up with Smile Please (2019). Now, his maiden Hindi directorial venture, Pal Bhar Ke Liye, is set to première at the Indian Film Festival of Melbourne (IFFM). “I gave up costume designing in 2007 after Salaam-e-Ishq, but to debut as a Hindi film director, it took me 19 years,” said Phadnis, talking to mid-day from Melbourne.
“It has been worth the wait. I feel I am taking a story that needs to be told, as mental health is a global issue right now. Anything can happen in a moment, that’s why it is called Pal Bhar Ke Liye,” said the director of his Saiyami Kher, Tahir Raj Bhasin, and Viineet Kumar Siingh-starrer.
(L-R) Trupti Khamkar, Suhasini Mulay, Saiyami Kher, and Viineet Kumar Siingh in the film. Pics/Instagram
Pal Bhar Ke Liye is a movie he has crafted with care and compassion. After all, the story stems from his personal life. Phadnis shared, “The concept of Pal Bhar Ke Liye is inspired by the last four years of my mother’s life. The journey started a long time ago when I used to observe my mother and the issues she faced. From concept to screen, it took me time because I wanted to tell an honest story without taking cinematic liberties.”
The transition from fashion to filmmaking hasn’t been easy either. But Phadnis took every challenge as a part of the ride. “People always saw me as a technician, a costume designer. This is the first time that people will see me as a Hindi film director. Putting a project together initially wasn’t an easy process. It had its share of convincing people that I know the craft.”
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Did you know?
Phadnis had initially started his journey as a choreographer before pivoting to fashion designing