In The Studio Of Kangana Ranaut: Queen Of Conquests

After her many onscreen accomplishments, Kangana Ranaut decided to also step behind the scenes and establish her own studio. She roped in ace designer Shabnam Gupta of The Orange Lane to create a European-esque space, one that synergises and gives impetus to both creative and functional roles

- Anamika Butalia

The ground floor cafe, near the spiral stairway, reuses reclaimed wood. On the wall behind it are green handmade tiles sourced from Rajasthan. The coffee machine is from Smeg; Shabnam Gupta of The Orange Lane fame designed the facade from scratch. It features French openable windows and moulded design in outdoor dalmia. Metal troughs featuring greens by Tooth Mountain Nursery are seen above the customised crystal and glass light at the gate; The alfresco end of the cafeteria is levelled with brick-patterned kadappa flooring from Bhartiya Marble. Against the landscape created by Tooth Mountain Nursery, bespoke furniture, cushions and artefacts from Peacock Life are assembled around a cantilevered civil bench made with handmade tiles that are sourced from Rajasthan

On a crisp Sunday afternoon, we walk into actor Kangana Ranaut’s studio in Mumbai. As we enter through a wicket in a green gate, a capacious, partially alfresco space opens up. In one corner is an aqua feature because, as designer Shabnam Gupta tells us, “Kangana finds the sound of running water soothing”. The burble can be heard across the layout, where a coffee bar and open cafe lie shaded by trees.

A freshly installed, spiral stairway leads us two flights up. On the first level is the main workplace, an editing studio, a discussion area, and conference room. However, the floor above is all Kangana’s. It houses a large meeting area, and a mezzanine zone with cushy couches, low seaters and a bathroom complete with a shower, wardrobe and dressing area, in case she needs to leave for a shoot from here.