Sonil Dedhia (MID-DAY; June 22, 2017)

Fashion designer Vikram Phadnis is ready with his first directorial venture, the Marathi film Hrudayantar, starring Subodh Bhave and Mukta Barve. The same script was supposed to mark his Bollywood directorial debut three years ago, with Bipasha Basu and Rana Daggubati in the lead. The film even had a title, Nia, but was eventually shelved over financial limitations.

The constraints made the process frustrating, but Phadnis refused to let it deter him from bringing the story to the masses. “The production cost was high. I wanted to shoot in London, but the budget wouldn’t allow me to do it. I also realised that it was the wrong time to put out that kind of story. But I didn’t let the limitations affect me. I’ve been wanting to make a film for 13 years,” he tells mid-day.

The designer credits Basu, for being supportive while he attempted to navigate obstacles. “She is a dear friend. For a year and a half, while I was trying to put Nia together, she made herself available, at all times.”

It was Riteish Deshmukh, who suggested that Phadnis make the film in Marathi under the title, Hrudayantar. “Last year, I told him about the movie. He suggested I make it in Marathi. I re-wrote some portions to cater to Marathi sensibilities, and then, everything started falling in place,” says Phadnis.

Hrudayantar explores the marital crisis of a couple married for 12 years.