Get 'Set' go : Varsha Jain

Certain professions in the entertainment industry seem largely to be out of bounds for women. Take music direction for instance: apart from Usha Khanna, there is hardly any name that comes to mind. Art direction is another field where women have hardly left their imprints. Though there have many assistants who have provided the creative touch to a set, art direction by and large is synonymous with names like Nitish Roy, Nitin Desai, Jayant Deshmukh, and Umang Kumar.But Varsha Jain seems to be changing all that and rewriting her own rules in art direction. One of the most famous and sought-after art directors in the television industry today, Varsha has lent her name to big-ticket TV shows like Daag and Lagi Tujhse Lagan, both for Colors. Originally from Raipur, Varsha came to Mumbai for further studies. How did studies give way to sets? Varsha smiles, “I had come to do my graduation in interior designing. But right from my teens, I knew I wanted to do something with sets and the film industry.” After completing her graduation, Varsha went to New York to complete her Masters in Fine Arts along with a special course in theatrical set design. “I stayed there for more than two years and worked under them CPR group for a Broadway musical. That was one of the best learning processes I have undergone till now. Working in a Broadway theatre changed my perspective completely and taught me so many things,” remembers Varsha. It was time then for Varsha to come back to India. Now, not only she was passionate to design sets, she also had the requisite academic qualifications and the experience of working in Broadway. “I worked with Umang Kumar for eight months. I am indebted to him for teaching me so much…He is one of the best creative people in the industry today. Soon I realized I should start something on my own. I lacked in confidence but after gaining some work experience I started my company called Artragous,” says the proud set designer who has by now managed to get little toe into the otherwise male-dominated world of art direction. “I approached people for work and thankfully got a number of good opportunities. I have worked in shows like Annu Ki Ho Gayi Wah Bhai Wah, Jhalak Dikhhla Ja, Pari Hoon Main, Mitwa Phool Kamal Ke and Jaane Kya Baat Hui,” she informs. Doesn’t she feel bad when the sets are dismantled after the shoot?“Well…yes…but I guess all art directors have got used to it. Designing sets for television shows, particularly, gives you momentary pleasure. We are all aware that the producers can ask for a new structure any time. That is the way the industry works and I have no issues in following the trend,” she smiles. Varsha is all excited as she talks about her new shows. She starts with the example of her latest show Lagi Tujhse Lagan. “I designed the haveli - which is a mix of old and contemporary style. I personally liked the design a lot and hope viewers like it too. For the other show, unlike others, I have used blue and white for the structure. This is a combination, you will not usually choose for a haveli but I wanted to try something different.” Are films on her agenda? “Creating sets for films is a completely different ball game. I definitely aspire to do that, but it will take some time. I have done sets for the Filmfare and Grasim shows,” she signs off.