While vanity vans are often discussed as symbols of stardom, interior designer Vinita Chaitanya suggests that, for some actors, they are deeply personal spaces shaped by routine and function. Speaking about her long-standing association with Deepika Padukone, who recently in the spotlight for moving into a Rs 100-crore quadruplex at Bandra Bandstand, Vinita revealed that the actress was one of the earliest stars to actively engage in designing her own vanity vans.
‘I’ve done her home many times… then I did her van’
In an interview with Masoom Minawala, Vinita said her collaboration with Deepika began years ago and extended beyond just residential spaces. “I’ve done her home many times—from her first apartment at Beaumonde to the one on top, which is her office. Then I did her van. In fact, two vans,” she shared.
According to Vinita, what stood out was Deepika’s clarity about what she wanted. “She really got it and wanted it a certain way,” she said, explaining that the process offered valuable insights into an actor’s working life. “For me, it was great fun—except that I had to go to the middle of nowhere to work on the van with the technicians. But it was fascinating, especially learning how actors actually use their vans.”
A peek inside Shah Rukh Khan’s vanity van
Through this experience, Vinita came to understand the practical distinctions between different vanity vans. “There’s a large van and a smaller van—the smaller one is for closer commutes, while the larger one is used on bigger studio sets,” she explained.Her research also led her to Shah Rukh Khan’s vanity van during a film shoot with Deepika. Recalling the moment, Vinita said, “What was interesting was that while researching other vans, I walked into Shah Rukh Khan’s van for the first time. They were shooting a film together.”Comparing the two spaces, Vinita noted the contrast in approach. “Deepika had very specific requirements,” she said, while describing Shah Rukh Khan’s van as comfort-oriented. “His van was fabulous—it even had a little gym inside. He’s such a cool guy.”
‘I don’t budget—the homeowner does’
Vinita also spoke about her unconventional approach to budgets, admitting that cost calculations are not her focus. “I don’t know how many millions things cost—I’m terrible with numbers,” she said, sharing an anecdote from a recent client interaction. “Even today in Dubai, I saw something while shopping with a client and told them, ‘Don’t ask me the price. You check if you can afford it, and if you can, that’s what I want you to buy.’”Elaborating on how she takes up projects, Vinita added, “I don’t budget—the homeowner does. Everyone comes with a number they’re comfortable with, and if I feel I can deliver within that, I take up the project. Sometimes budgets aren’t realistic, honestly, and I feel I may not be able to do my best. I still try.” She further revealed that most of her current clientele operates in a rarefied space. “People who come to me are either collectors or own homes ranging between 15,000 to 30,000 square feet on average. I only take up six projects at a time,” Vinita said.
