Sujoy Ghosh reveals Vidya Balan changed clothes in her car during ‘Kahaani’ shoot due to tight budget

Director Sujoy Ghosh recently opened up about the challenges faced by the cast and crew during the making of the critically acclaimed thriller Kahaani (2012). Despite being a turning point in Sujoy Ghosh’s career, the film was made on a tight budget of just Rs 15 crore, forcing the team to make several compromises, including not being able to afford a vanity van for the lead actress, Vidya Balan.

In a candid interview with Mashable India, Sujoy shared that Vidya often had to change clothes in her Innova, which was covered with a black cloth to provide privacy, as the team could not afford the luxury of a vanity van. “Every time Vidya had to change, we would park her Innova on the roadside and cover it with black cloth, and she would change inside,” Sujoy recalled. The director praised Vidya's dedication to the project, saying, “She saved me. After Aladin failed, Vidya could have easily said no to Kahaani, but she didn’t. She’s someone who keeps her word. She committed to the film and stuck to it, despite all the challenges.”


The film, shot on the streets of Kolkata, was made on a low budget but went on to become a box office hit, earning Rs 79.20 crore globally. Ghosh reflected on the project’s success, mentioning how the cast and crew had to work without many of the conveniences of bigger productions, like pausing the shoot when needed.
Kahaani received widespread acclaim for its gripping narrative, stellar performances, and exceptional cinematography.