Story by : Bhushan Mhapralkar

DC Design has built yet another vanity van for actor Shah Rukh Khan on a Volvo multi-axle luxury bus chassis.

Vanity vans play an important role in the film industry. A visit to the Goregaon film city or to a film shooting site will help to understand the importance of vanity vans, and what they mean to the film industry. Actors spend their time in vanity vans when they are not shooting for a sequence. Almost a home away from home, vanity vans is where actors relax, practice, have a conversation or simply enjoy some private moments away from the buzz of a film set. Rising standards, influx of new technology and an ongoing modernisation in the film industry has added to the value of vanity vans. It should not come as a surprise therefore, that the Mumbai-based actor Shah Rukh Khan has got himself a vanity van. It has been custom-built for him by DC Design and is replete with all the modern amenities and technology. Following in the foot steps of a vanity van DC Design built for the actor almost a decade ago, the new one is also based on a Volvo multi-axle bus chassis. To be precise, the new van is based on a Volvo 9400 multi-axle bus chassis, which in its conventional form is capable of carrying up to 53 people over long distance in good level of comfort. Visually, the Volvo 9400 multi-axle bus is quite a mass. It looks long and substantial enough to think of it as a highway animal rather than something that will be at ease in the city. But then, this is no ordinary van. This is a super premium vanity van for a big actor.

Futuristic outside and plush inside

It is interesting to watch the way the futuristic exterior of the vanity van seems to mask all that mass a multi-axle bus is capable of flaunting. What works in the favour of the design is the impression of an uninterrupted surface. Contributing a good deal to this is the large front windshield, which extends all the way down to include the sleek looking head lamp assemblies, leaving just about enough space for a streak-shaped faux-grille. The window-line on either side aligns itself at the level of the windshield. If the flush fitted glass at the front and on the sides present the feel of an uninterrupted surface, the design is structured over a length of
14.5 m. If the 22.5-inch diameter wheels contribute towards a well proportioned look, the fact, that the engine is at the rear, has resulted in an amount of design freedom even though it is tied down by a need to incorporate a certain amount of functionality. If a small section can slide out on the right, indicating the need to incorporate the necessary functionality, credit should go to the designer for this one’s not less than a big, premium luxury bus. In terms of functionality it may be different, but that does not take away the fact that this van is built on a multi-axle Volvo bus chassis. Says Dilip Chhabria, Founder and Managing Director, DC Design, “Stress was laid on marrying functionality and technology apart from highlighting the aesthetics. We chose this particular chassis because it is a competent platform. We chose this platform because of its length. More the length, the better it would be for us to work upon.” Questioning the prospect of someone aspiring for a smaller home or a small car, Chhabria states, “Considering Shah Rukh Khan’s image, it is obvious that people stop and stare at something new from him; at something that looks futuristic.” Drawing attention to a vanity van his company built for the actor in 2009, Chhabria explains that it is quite natural for the actor to turn to DC Design when he needed another vanity van. “So, when Shah Rukh Khan needed another vanity van, he turned to us,” Chhabria emphasises.

For utmost functionality, and an ability to meet the needs of those who would use this vanity van, a hydraulic side extension has been incorporated. When parked, it slides out to generate more space. Not a remake of the earlier van his company built for Shah Rukh, Chhabria explains, “This one’s all-new. It is of the same make because this (Volvo) platform is a competent platform.” It took between 45 to 60 days to manufacture this van. With money no object, this vanity van is claimed to be the best vanity van in the country thus far. Good amount of comfort has been accounted for, and sources close to the actor are of the opinion that the designer has taken into account the actor’s liking for sci-fi. They say that the interior is of the sci-fi kind. Comments Chhabria, “An office and home rolled into one, a vanity van calls for an aspiration value that has ‘wow’ interiors.” A good amount of glass has been used to make the floor. It is back-lit and illuminated. Subsequently, the roof has seen the use of wood panels. The van also has a pantry section, a wardrobe section, special make-up chair, separate toilet cubicle and an in-built shower. Mentions Chhabria, “Too many functionalities made it essential to match the aesthetics in such a way that form, function, engineering, feasibility, service-ability and safety were taken into account.” According to him, the vanity van falls under Class IV of the Motor Vehicles Act.

The vanity van business

Vanity van is a big business in the Indian film industry. Shah Rukh Khan is no exception to it. In fact, the ability of an actor to possess a vanity van often reflects his status in the industry claim those who are connected with this industry. Chhabria believes that there are 300 to 400 vanity vans in India. He stresses that they play an important role in keeping the artist comfortable, happy and connected. Stating that the functional life of a vanity van is 15 years, he is well aware that his elite clients may want to seek a new vanity van every four to five years. Concludes Chhabria, “What makes this vanity van special or different from the various vanity vans out there is its quality, design and ergonomics.”