'Biggest set ever': Sanjay Leela Bhansali discusses 'Heeramandi's opulent vision
What's the story
Excitement is in the air as Sanjay Leela Bhansali is set to make his grand entrance into the realm of streaming with the highly-anticipated eight-part series, Heeramandi.
Scheduled for its Netflix premiere on May 1, this series delves deep into the enchanting world of the courtesans of Heera Mandi during pre-independence India.
Recently, in an interview with Architectural Digest, Bhansali described this as his "biggest set ever," spanning a massive three acres.
Artistic journey
Bhansali's vision for the set is unwavering
The creation of Heeramandi's set has been an 18-year journey for Bhansali.
The filmmaker stated, "When there are characters I love a lot, I create special spaces for them."
"My art directors (Amit Ray and Subrata Chakraborty) are petrified when I call them," said Bhansali, adding, "I chew their brains until I get things right."
Despite his sets often being subject to in-depth analysis due to their picturesque frames, Bhansali maintains that "the audience sees what they want to see."
Set construction
'Heeramandi' set took seven months to construct
Bhansali's Heeramandi set, located in Mumbai's Film City, is a spectacle that took seven months to construct, reportedly.
The project involved the labor of 700 craftsmen and utilized approximately "60,000 wooden planks and metal frames."
The set features a royal palace, a mosque, a courtyard, a dancing hall, roads, and shops among other elements.
Each component has been meticulously designed to reflect the opulence and rich arts of the period it represents.
Responsibility
'Can't make a set and place your characters in it...'
Further, he emphasized the intricate relationship between architecture and storytelling in filmmaking, stating, "You can't just make a set and place your characters in it. No, it doesn't work that way."
He highlighted the significance of architecture in frame-making, drawing inspiration from legendary filmmakers like Satyajit Ray and Kamal Amrohi, who masterfully integrated sets to enhance their narratives.
Bhansali's approach to set design is marked by "love and responsibility," where even the smallest detail, stems from the depths of imagination.
Artistic precision
Bhansali's meticulousness is evident in every aspect of the set
Per the AD report, Bhansali's meticulousness is evident in every aspect of the Heeramandi set.
From Mughal miniature paintings on the walls to intricate filigree work on window frames and enamel carving on the floor, each detail has been handcrafted under his supervision.
Even the furniture used in the show, including teak wood pieces from the 1930s and '40s, were carefully selected from an antique store in Amdavad.
Information
Meanwhile, know more about the series 'Heeramandi'
Bhansali, known for his grand cinematic spectacles like Devdas (2002), Bajirao Mastani (2015), and Padmaavat (2018), is set to elevate his storytelling prowess with Heeramandi. The series boasts a star-studded cast featuring luminaries such as Manisha Koirala, Richa Chadha, Aditi Rao Hydari, and Sonakshi Sinha, alongside male talents Fardeen Khan, Shekhar Suman, Taha Shah Badussha, and Adhyayan Suman.