Sonil Dedhia (MID-DAY; June 9, 2017)

RJ Vidya Balan’s radio show has moved from the morning slot in Lage Raho Munna Bhai (2006) to late night in upcoming comedy-drama, Tumhari Sulu. The makers are pumping in money and expertise to give viewers the feel of a real radio station.

Ditching the idea of shooting at a radio station or recreating one at a film studio, T-Series and Ellipsis Entertainment have decided to rent a sprawling space measuring 16,000 sq ft on the top floor of a Bandra Kulra Complex tower. It calls for a sizeable investment but was vital to the storyline, they reason.

Production designer Dhara Jain, the creative mind behind this set-up, says, “When I was briefed about recreating a radio station, I decided to give it an industrial pop design. I wanted to break away from the stereotypical look and give it a cool and funky vibe. The set will be modular but will have a mix of artwork and vibrant colours. We are looking into the smallest of details.”

A radio office of this nature, says Dhara, is unlikely to be found in India but the idea was to make the set aspirational, and allow an ambience where Vidya’s creativity would find a home. “We wanted it to be a place where Sulu would forget her worries and feel like she was in wonderland. This has been one of my most challenging yet fulfilling film assignments so far.”

Close to 100 crew members are working on the space to meet the deadline. Heavy security has been deployed around the building to ensure photographers don’t get a glimpse of the space ahead of scheduled time. Set director Suresh Triveni says, “I look forward to shoot here. It’s diametrically opposite to the ambience of Sulu’s home.”

Vidya plays the titular character of a homemaker, who stumbles on the job of a night radio jockey.