Let’s talk about some extraordinary Hindi movie sets worth remembering but they come at an extravagant price tag.
As we all know, Bollywood is known for its extravagant sets, costumes and hypnotic music but it also has the ability to teleport you into the magical realm which makes you believe that imagination has no limit. Indian filmmakers always push their boundaries of creativity and turn their imaginations into reality that wonder us. They create a majestic world with interesting characters, convincing acting, fine directions, and soul-soothing music that’ll make you spellbound. They even have the ability to pull the audience in and take them into the past time to witness book-written tales.
However, it’s not fair to only give credit to filmmakers for taking us to the magical world. There is a whole team or crew behind which brings life to each frame of the film set. Who also worked hard as much as filmmakers, to create the atmosphere and vibe of the scene which left the audience awe-inspiring. We have curated a list of those movies that grabbed headlines for their extensive and extravagant sets.
Mughal-e-Azam (1960)
Set Cost- 15 Lakh
Mughal-e-Azam is a cult-classic Indian movie which is based on the Mughal era. The movie is set on the love story of Salim and Anarkali. Salim was a Mughal Prince and Anarkali was a court dancer. Emperor Akbar disapproves of the relationship, which leads to a fight between father and son. It became the finest Hindi film of all time.
There is an iconic song in the movie which shot in a Sheesh Mahal designed by art director R. Verman Shetty. The set was a replicate of Lahore Fort. The set featured thousands of reflecting mirrors, intricate design detailing, and a tranquil ambience. The Sheesh Mahal alone cost 15 lakhs and it took 2 years to build.
Devdas (2002)
Set Cost- Rs 20 Crore
Sanjay Leela Bhansali is synonymous with lavish productions, and “Devdas” was no exception. The movie is based on a love triangle. The sprawling haveli, the vibrant streets of Calcutta, and the opulent mansion of Chandramukhi (Madhuri Dixit) were meticulously designed to capture the essence of the story’s setting. Chandramukhi’s court was built at a cost of 20 crores. The court (kotha) was built in a film studio around an artificial lake however, it looks like the Banaras location next to the Ganga River.
Another marvellous thing was Paro’s (Aishwarya Rai Bachchan) haveli which was decorated with 12 crore pieces of stained glass. The film’s visual opulence, highlighted by its lavish sets, played a crucial role in immersing audiences in the tragic tale of love and despair. The film itself is a masterpiece and became the highest-grossing film globally that year.
Jodhaa Akbar (2008)
Set Cost- Rs 12 Crore
Ashutosh Gowariker’s “Jodhaa Akbar” took viewers to the 16th century by narrating the love story between Emperor Akbar and Rajput princess Jodhaa. Nitin Desai’s sets for the movie were a stunning synthesis of period detail and enormous cinematic scale. The massive Agra Fort set, built at an astounding cost of 12 crore, faithfully portrayed the splendour of the Mughal dynasty. Every element of the set, including the elaborate architecture and the fine details, enhanced the beauty of the movie.
Saawariya (2007)
Set Cost- Rs 40 Crore
Despite its mixed reception, “Saawariya” marked a significant milestone in terms of set design and budget. Sanjay Leela Bhansali’s vision for the film required the creation of an entire fantasy world. The elaborate sets, including the iconic clock tower, the dreamy streets, and the ethereal blue-themed landscapes, were designed to transport audiences into a fairytale setting. The extravagant sets, with an estimated cost of 40 crore, were a testament to Bhansali’s commitment to creating a visually captivating experience.
Padmaavat (2018)
Set Cost- Rs 215 Crore
Padmaavat directed by Sanjay Leela Bhansali, stands as one of the most expensive Indian films ever made. With a budget of 215 crore, the film spared no expense in recreating the medieval world of Rajputana. The Chittorgarh Fort set, meticulously constructed to capture the grandeur of the Rajput dynasty, was a marvel of design and craftsmanship. The intricate detailing, elaborate costumes, and larger-than-life sets added to the film’s epic scale and made it a visual extravaganza.
