Tanhaji (2020)
Marathas’ courage and bravery, depicted flawlessly in Tanhaji, also included several renditions of Maharashtra’s districts and architecture of the associated period. The universe of Tanhaji comprising the Sandhan Valley, Sinhgad Fort, and Kondhana Fort was created by a remarkable VFX team. To match the authenticity of Sandhan Valley, the production team gathered moulds of the rocks and stones of the Valley, the texture of which were used by the VFX team to enhance the look of the stones built as a simple wall on site.
Black (2005)
Sanjay Leela Bhansali chose to keep the sets of his movie minimal. The protagonist’s house is a formidable structure with big rooms and high ceilings. Inspired by Christian imagery, the house’s paintings and statues reflect its inhabitants’ personalities and give the movie a mystical aura. Artificial lighting is avoided in the film, with natural light taking precedence through windows in dark rooms. The colour scheme features blacks, greys, and clues with random pops of red.
Also read: 5 Indian celebrity homes to bookmark for design inspiration
Ram Leela (2013)
The authentic beauty of Gujarat, which was created in Mumbai, consisted of stunning Havelis and vibrant streets. SLB teamed up with production designer Wasiq Khan to identify apt locations for these sets around the city. The set of the song, ‘Nagada Sang Dhol’, filmed in the courtyard of a massive rustic Haveli, was the most expensive set created in a studio in Mumbai, consisting of intricate pillars, arched windows, and beautiful carvings.
RRR (2022)
RRR (Rise Roar Revolt) is set in the British Era but depicts an unusual story of patriotism. The film showcases visual grandiose, a combined effort of production designer Sabu Cyril and cinematographer K K Senthil Kumar’s mind and the VFX team. From setting the tone of a pre-independent India to intricately designing the British Ruler’s lavish house, the background contributed generously to the performances and storyline without overshadowing them.
Detective Byomkesh Bakshy! (2015)
The stunning recreation of Kolkata in Detective Byomkesh Bakshy was made possible by Vandana Kataria, a film and visual communications graduate from the National Institute of Design. Researching about literature, movies, and the place’s culture, she resourced her significant material from people’s homes and their family albums which enabled her to create an authentic rendition of Calcutta. Moreover, the movie’s colour palette inculcates the feel of a graphic novel.
Hum Dil De Chuke Sanam (1999)
The elaborate sets of Hum Dil De Chuke Sanam envisioned by Nitin Desai were eye-catching and memorable. The extravagant gilded sets amplified the emotional spirit of the romantic story. Besides, even when the plot shifted between India and Italy, the Bollywood charm remained intact.
KGF Chapter 2 (2022)
Art director Shivakumar J left no stone unturned to create the perfect fictional world of ‘Narachi’, which enthralled his audience. From watching numerous documentaries on mining to creating multiple concept sketches to bring this new world to life, he spent months researching. The white mansion inspired by Gothic interiors, the routes leading to the workers’ colonies, and the original artworks struck a major chord with the viewers.