From Ash and Big B to Zayed Khan, he has covered practically all the stars in Bollywood’s alphabet list. With no formal degree in design, he paved his way into the wardrobes of many. Popularly called Bollywood’s ace designer, he is now making serious cinema too. Meet Vikram Phadnis, the choreographer-turned-designer-turned-filmmaker.

Vikram is self-made and is raring to go. Recently in the City for a fashion event, Metrolife engaged in a conversation with this enterprising creative genius, who wants to do it all in the next ten years and retire.
On Bangalore...

My family stays in Bangalore. I have come here often for shoots. It’s peaceful, serene, beautiful. In the next ten months, I will have my stand-alone store in Bangalore. People say it’s a price-conscious city. But I have several clients from Bangalore who often fly to Mumbai to buy clothes from my store. Who decides whether a city can afford or not?

Schooling and family...
I was a Science student. My parents are doctors and ours is a family of surgeons. I was forced to take up medicine due to peer and family pressure. I wanted to get into the glamour industry and quit medicine after two years. This led to some friction in the family. My parents believe that we are answerable to people. But I decided to handle my life on my own.

From choreography to designing...
I started choreographing fashion shows. But I loved playing with fabrics, colours, shoes, accessories. This persuaded me to design for myself. I got into mainstream clothing and since then I have never looked back. No other profession excites me as much.

No training in fashion...
I have no background in design. I cannot sketch. Initially, I would have bouts of emotion that my colleagues know so much more. But I had more hands-on experience. Thus, I never took it as a handicap. There was some animosity between my parents and me when they found out that I was getting into fashion. But today they are the proudest parents. In fact, at times it’s embarrassing to see so much fame as I hail from a simple middle-class Maharashtrian family. However, I believe you get only what you deserve.

Film with Tabu...
Yes, I am directing a film with Tabu in the lead. It’s not based on fashion and it’s not glamourous. And I’m not doing the clothes for my film. The story, about a relationship between two women, is inspired from real life. It’s very sensitive. The film is in the dialogue stage right now. It will be shot entirely in Cape Town.

Mad about Madhuri...
I love Madhuri Dixit. It was my dream to work with her. Yes, I did approach her for my film. She declined because she has two children and our shoot location is Cape Town. It didn’t work for her. But Tabu is a great friend and she accepted immediately.

Bling love...
Everyone has a style. My style is glam and shimmer. You walk into a Hugo Boss store to pick up a certain style. Would you like Armani to become Roberto Cavalli? I don’t believe in deliberately reinventing myself. Glam is Vikram Phadnis.

Personal style...
I don’t own a formal shoe. I don’t own a suit or a tie. Even for my sister’s wedding, I wore my jeans and keds. I am a jeans and shirt guy. I would never dress up to please your eyes.

Fave Bollywood star...
Salman Khan. This one man has given me all. Without his support, I would have not been where I am today.

Re-live life...
I wish I could really put the clock back. I wish I could have achieved at 25 what I did at 35.

Ten years down the lane...
My next ten years are very crucial because it will be during this period that I will go global and retire with immediate effect. You will find me relaxing by a beach in southern France!