Production designer Aparna Sud's flight to success

When production designer Aparna Sud signed up for Ram Madhvani's Neerja, little did she know that she had to build an entire aircraft from scratch. However, rather than getting nervous, she decided to take it up as a challenge. 'This is going to be interesting,' she told herself before heading to the drawing board.
A lot of research went into making the aircraft. She elaborates, 'It was almost like going back to school. I had to take into consideration a lot of references.I started with the layout, drawings and made some 3D models. I referred to every resource available online, including a website that was set up by the ex-employees of Pan Am (Pan American World Airways). I also went through technical manuals of Boeing 747, consulted pilots who have flown the aircraft and also met aeronautical engineers and flight attendants.' She is happy that her effort has paid off and the film has won rave reviews for the precision and detailing involved. Aparna, who started out as an interior designer, worked with an architect for almost six years before she shifted base to Mumbai. 'When I came to the city in 2002, my sister asked me if I would like to assist a production designer. I agreed, and that's how my journey in Bollywood began,' she recalls.
The Shimla girl, who has been behind the look of diverse films including 'Nishabd', 'ABCD: Any Body Can Dance' and 'Tevar', has recently completed an international project. 'I just finished working on a Hollywood film, Heartbeats, which is directed by Duane Adler,' she signs off.
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