The first thing I read yesterday morning as soon as I opened Instagram (not healthy, I’m aware) was that The Devil Wears Prada is getting a sequel. How do I feel about it? I’m a bit indifferent towards it at the moment, to be honest. No vengeful agenda towards those who greenlit it. And no tears of joy as well. My loyalties will reveal colour after the casting confirmations and once the shady tabloids start spilling excerpts from the probable plot. Yes, I’m that person.
All of this sent me on a tangent of trying to position this cardinal moment in pop culture in an Indian context. The Devil Wears Prada? Maybe The Devil Wears Malhotra this time around. Or Tahiliani. Maybe Mishra, Gupta or Kumar. Expecting a few PR calls now, given I’ve missed many. What about I sign petitions for this to take off. Who’s with me? This turf is tricky to navigate, but I’m ready. I’m ready for half of you readers to disagree and, regardless, push forth my agenda of Indianising the marvel that is The Devil Wears Prada.
Let’s have a look at the Indian recast I have in mind for the movie.
Miranda Priestly
Ratna Pathak Shah / Zeenat Aman / Rekha
While the rest of the list designates two names for each character, I couldn’t bring myself to downsize it from three to two. For the snobbish sass, you have Ratna Pathak Shah. For the enviable style and commanding presence, you have Rekha. To tap into the overall style and sophistication of the character, you have Zeenat Aman. I simply cannot choose.
Andrea Sachs
Bhumi Pednekar / Ananya Panday
Ananya and Bhumi are fashion girlies through and through. These two would do some serious justice to Andy’s character arc and prove their mettle with this role. I mean, it’s Anne Hathaway–big shoes to fill.
Emily Charlton
Sobhita Dhulipala / Kareena Kapoor Khan
Emily is hands down, one of my favourite characters from The Devil Wears Prada. ‘Glamorous, judgmental, and neurotic,’ that’s how a pop-culture blogpost described her. I see either Sobhita Dhulipala or Kareena Kapoor Khan acing this role without a doubt. Kareena’s Heroine stint and Sobhita’s part in Made In Heaven convinced me long ago.
Nigel Kipling
Karan Johar / Boman Irani
Stanley Tucci is irreplaceable. I will start a GoFundMe page just to arrange tickets to fly him here for the shoot. And if it doesn’t pan out, we’re going ahead with Karan Johar or Boman Irani. Experience, style, and intellect—these pointers need a tick in bold.
Nate Cooper
Rajkummar Rao/ Vikrant Massey
Contrary to popular belief, people aren’t fans of Andrea returning to Nate, and it’s not without reason. I am thinking of Rajkummar Rao or Vikrant Massey to take up this role and play the ‘misunderstood’ boyfriend. They’re also one of those cutesy, soft-boy looking guys which is why these two might do justice on the aesthetic grounds as well.
Christian Thompson
Abhay Deol / Siddhant Chaturvedi
Slightly cocky, self-assured, and charming, we had to opt for these two to recreate our very own version of Christian Thompson, the slightly duplicitous one out of the lot in The Devil Wears Prada. While I’m leaning more towards Abhay, Siddhant can also crack the code to this flirtatious, slightly egotistical personality.
Serena
Athiya Shetty / Lisa Haydon
Initially essayed by THEE Gisele Bündchen, Serena’s character will be best played by a true fashionista. Athiya and Lisa were two names I finalised as they effortlessly fit the bill. Athiya has always been the IT girl when it comes to fashion and Lisa’s easily one of the best Indian supermodels ever.
Cameos We’d Like
Abu Jani and Sandeep Khosla
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They’re fiercely outspoken and humorous– they would make a great addition in a surprise cameo role. They could also launch a collection in The Devil Wears Prada itself, showcasing their quintessential mirror work. A marketing masterstroke if you ask us.
Nancy Tyagi
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Her fashion prudence will be handy when they’re struggling to find quality pieces for our wardrobe at the last minute.
Diljit Dosanjh
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I want him in the movie for personal reasons. That’s all. A song would be lovely as well.
Sonam Kapoor
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Sonam didn’t feature in the casting because we’re not trying to pull another Aisha here. She can play herself or a completely new character–to be honest, I would love something vampy–or a cover star who’s being tricky on sets of The Devil Wears Prada.
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