Professionally too, things are looking up for the actor couple. While she has grabbed eyeballs with Heeramandi, Fazal began shooting for Mani Ratnam’s Thug Life last week. Does their individual success help them as they build their production house? “Both Ali and I have credibility as performers. People who want to work with us will come regardless. A success like this is a personal win. When you come to Mumbai, stay in a one-room-kitchen and start life ground up, you dream of working with Mr Bhansali. This year, I feel good things are upon us—first the Sundance [win], Heeramandi, and things with Ali. I am also grateful we didn’t have Godfathers blessing us. All those auto rides to auditions feel sweeter now.”

Their maiden production, Girls Will Be Girls, which won two awards at the Sundance Film Festival this year, is continuing its festival run. Chadha says they are drawing up its release plans. “We have to get the right deal to do a limited release. The film’s budget is R12 crore and P&A is R6 crore. We are discussing trade with consultants. As first-time producers, we have an award-winning film with us. We are learning and will decide on a release plan by the year-end.”