International Women's Day is observed every year on March 8. The day celebrates the achievements of women, focuses on gender equality and creates awareness about women-related causes. Bollywood celebrities like Amitabh Bachchan, Akshay Kumar, Ajay Devgn, Shilpa Shetty, Alia Bhatt, Katrina Kaif, Madhuri Dixit, Kartik Aaryan and others shared powerful messages for women and urge them to stay their unique self always. Acclaimed Bollywood Production designer, Khyatee Kanchan in her interview with TOI also spoked about the special day and spilled beans on her work in Bollywood.
Speaking about her work, Khyatee says, The best thing about being a Production Designer in Bollywood is the power to translate a simple or eccentric idea and make them plausible. In cinema, as in life, a house is a reflection of the time spent inside its walls by the people who inhabit it. A room, its colors, shapes, and textures, all act as a mirror that shows the preferences, personality, and habits of the home's occupant. To be able to bring all these nuances to life is the most exciting and rewarding part of the job. Imagine designing a full-fledged Bollywood song with 200 dancers to a 1950’s changing room in an Olympic stadium in Rome. Its not everyday that one gets to do as profession. But as a Production Designer I get to cultivate an idea into a reality. The reward of creating something that audiences are moved and entertained by, makes it more than worth it.”
Continuing further she says, it is tough being a Production Designer in the industry, as career in films is often thought of as a more glamorous alternative to traditional 9 to 5 job. When quizzed about her Women's Day message she said, “Devote yourself to learning as much as possible. Know that the learning never ends no matter what stage you’re at. You will never learn it all, and hopefully, that challenges and excites you. Travel and observe. Inspiration will come to you at the strangest times, so be ready to take it in. Here’s to strong women: May we know them. May we be them. May we raise them.” On the work front, Khyatee is currently working on Ajay Devgn's Maidaan. Directed by Amit Ravindernath Sharma, the film is a sports drama based on the life of football coach Syed Abdul Rahim, who put Indian football on the global map. Apart from Maidaan, some of her other notable works in Bollywood include, ‘Ugly Aur Pagli’, ‘Phoonk 2’, and Badmaash Company.’