PHOTO: INDIA TODAY
For years, Indian cinema has been giving us jaw-dropping gems which allow us to get a real-life feel of the events and characters. Directors such as Sanjay Leela Bansali throw us deep into history by creating these magnificent detailed sets, leaving us in awe each time. Here is a list of the five most dramatic and visually stunning Bollywood film sets and (spoiler alert) unsurprisingly, Bhansali makes it to the list twice.
1. ‘Bajirao Mastani’
PHOTO: INDIA TODAYFirst and foremost, the genius cinematography was able to capture the lavish sets of the epic historical romance. Bhansali’s vision turned to life after months of research to create each and every detail. The ‘Aeena Mahal’ itself contained countless mirrors and oozed opulence, becoming the iconic song Deewani Mastani’s home.
2. ‘Padmaavat’
PHOTO: INDIA.COMAnd then he did it again… The controversial release of the film did not overshadow mastermind Bhansali’s vision. With another period drama, the film showcased grandeur sets from historical sites such as Padmavati’s Chambers and the Courtyard of Chitoor. Both sets were cleverly set up with candles and lighting to create even more intense visuals. Paired again with the use of mirrors and water, Bhansali created a majestic Rajasthani feel.
3. ‘Prem Ratan Dhan Payo’
PHOTO: DECCAN CHRONICLESooraj Bharjatya’s romantic drama, a majestic film in itself, tells the story of the rich prince from Pritampur. The Royal Palace, which is said to be the biggest set ever made, was specifically built for Prem Ratan Dhan Payo. Much like Bajirao, this film also contains the ‘Sheesh Mahal.’ The construction of the Mahal took 90 days and consisted of multiple mirror designs from inlays and outlays to convex. Set designer, Nithin Chandrakanth Desai stated in a behind-the-scenes interview that “the mirrors reflect even the angles you never thought could be reflected”.
4. ‘Jodha Akbar’
PHOTO: DECCAN CHRONICLEAshutosh Gowariker’s period drama starring Aishwarya Rai Bachchan and Hrithik Roshan is a classic historical romance set in the Mughal period. This film also came under the hands of talented designer, Desai. He meticulously created a replica of the interiors of Amer Fort, near Jaipur after taking thousands of photos in Agra and Jaipur. He also created a duplication of the Agra Fort!
5. ‘Bombay Velvet’
PHOTO: BOLLYWOOD LIFEArtistic directors managed to create a whole world of the 1960s for Anurag Kashyap’s glamourous film. A behind-the-scenes video shows the whole film was in fact shot on a set created in Sri Lanka. This includes restaurants, roads, bars and streets from scratch! Each detail created the 60s ambience and showcased a whole new city. Although the extravagant film set was worth a watch, the film did not see commercial success.
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