Choreographer-director Farah Khan recently discussed the rising requests of Bollywood stars, particularly concerning vanity vans. She didn’t shy away from highlighting how some actors now demand not just one, but four customized vans to meet their specific needs before they begin their work.
Farah pointed out that these demands have become quite lavish, to the extent that actors won’t start filming until their fleet of vans arrives on set. She emphasized the variety of vans now required, with one for the actor, one for their staff, one for their gym, and another for purposes like catering.
“Until the vans arrive, work doesn’t begin. Nowadays, each actor has around four vans for themselves. One is for their gym, one for their staff, one for themselves, and then there’s a separate food truck,” Farah explained.
During a candid discussion on a YouTube vlog with TV actor Dipika Kakkar and her husband Shaoib Ibrahim, Farah provided insights into the behind-the-scenes needs of top stars. Drawing from her experiences with renowned names like Shah Rukh Khan and Deepika Padukone, she highlighted the shift in on-set luxuries, from basic accommodations to the current era where vanity vans are equipped with gyms and even full-scale kitchens.
Farah recalled simpler times when actors made do with makeshift arrangements, such as changing behind trees and using towels for privacy during outdoor shoots. However, she noted that nowadays, actors won’t start until their personalized vans, complete with all amenities, are in place.
The features of these vanity vans have evolved to meet the stars’ demands. For example, Akshay Kumar’s van is equipped to prepare special meals tailored to his dietary needs, while Tiger Shroff’s van doubles as a gym to facilitate his training between takes. This trend reflects the increasing expectations of Bollywood’s elite on sets.
