The Magic of Sets- Devdas

A novel written by Sarat Chandra Bose was made into a movie thrice, you can understand how epic it is. A story of doomed love. The first one being made into a black and whit and second one with the legendary actor, Dilip Kumar. But the third one made in 2002, by director Sanjay Leela Bhansali  starring Shah Rukh Khan as Devdas is what the people remember. Apart from the tragic story, the casting nad the songs the main thing that attracted the audience was the magnificent sets. Yes sets are the most important factor in film making when it comes to period fims. The audience needs to be felt the era in which the story is based. And Devdas does just that. The larger than life sets takes  the audience back in time.

Keeping in mind how the 1930s used to look like, deep and detailed researches were  done in Calcutta, the then capital of India. Sketches, sample models and then the final set was made.  It took whole nine months just to create the sets.  But when they stood, it was magical. It spoke of wealth, affluence, class society and grandeur.

The sets needed to compliment the characters. There was a depth research on every aspect. The color palette, proper use of space, the character’s thought and situations. The home of Devdas was of a 1930’s typical zamindar house. It was tall, huge and a proper havelli painted in white.  It was accompanied with huge pillars. There were 180 pillars which reflected the aristrocracy factor that Devdas belong to an affluent family. Colors were yellow and green to bring out the British era feel. 

For Paro’s house, the colors pink and blue was used to reflect her character ie delicate and simple. To reflect her beauty and her personality, the house tha huge stained glasses. After her marriage her husband’s house was even bigger than Devdas to show that his status was the highest. But the biggest was Chandramukhi’s kotha.  It was gold pillard and most probably the costliest set made in the history if bollywood. It was created in Mumbai showing Benaras . The hall where she danced had a 6 feet tall chandelier. Candle lights were used to brighten up the “sama”.

Thus, all these factors gave the movie and the characters justice and something which people are talking about till today and giving Sanjay Leela Bhansali the tag of the director whose movies  have great sets.