These iconic sets in Mumbai have their own story

The enticing sets of Kabhi Khushi Kabhie Gham (2001), 3 Idiots (2009) are still etched in the memory of moviegoers. The grand and detailed sets of Gangubai Kathiawadi (2022) took viewers back in time. These sets created in Mumbai have been designed and built from scratch, and we bring to you their untold stories.

RECREATING CHANDNI CHOWK IN MUMBAI
For the larger-than-life Kabhi Khushi Kabhie Gham, everything was extravagant. This kind of a lifestyle was never projected on screen before. Art director Sharmishta Roy says, “In real life, a select few experience such lavishness, and Karan (Johar) was able to portray it well. The interiors of the Raichand house (shot in Mumbai) were scaled up to the proportions of its exteriors (Waddesdon Manor, England). We planned the details right up to the crockery and cutlery; and had insurance for the artwork that was arranged from art galleries. Chandni Chowk was recreated in Film City here. Chandni Chowk is one long lane, but the offshoots have a quieter environment and Mughal architecture, which we aimed for. The artisans did a splendid job in replicating the visuals.”

For Bole Chudiyan, we didn’t have LED screens outside the windows, we had to make do with painted backdrops, and limited computer graphics. Landscapists worked on the sets and we made all the furniture as we couldn’t rent from designers. We created around 24 sets back-to-back for the film.”
- Sharmishta Roy, art director, Kabhi Khushi Kabhie Gham

3 IDIOTS FLOOD SCENE WAS SHOT IN A WATER TANKWhile 3 Idiots was majorly shot at Indian Institute of Management (IIM), Bengaluru, the flood scene in the climax, was shot in a 150 square foot water tank built in Film City, Mumbai. “We initially planned to build walls in the IIM premises to block the water, but it wasn’t practical. So I built the tank, and had elements of the campus, like the pergolas and floral hedges, to make it seem we were at the actual location," says production designer Rajnish Hedao

The famous butt chair that Aamir, R Madhavan and Sharman Joshi sat on was inspired by a garden in South Korea
— Rajnish Hedao, production designer, 3 Idiots

A TRIP TO THE 50s WITH GANGUBAI
Sanjay Leela Bhansali’s Inshallah with Alia Bhatt was halted midway, and since they had Alia’s dates, he decided to kick-off Gangubai Kathiawadi instead, but that meant the art department had only 15 days to prepare the entire set. “We started with a recce of Kamathipura before creating the design and miniature version of our plan. The theatres of Kamathipura were important elements, as the time lapse was shown with the changing posters. We thus recreated New Roshan, Alfred and Gulshan theatres. Alfred still stands in Kamathipura, and only the facade of Gulshan existed, but it helped with our design," says production designer Subrata Chakraborty.

The older sex workers helped us with important details of Gangubai’s kotha, including where the red light was placed. The rooms in the kotha were asymmetrical because they used whatever space was available
to them. Gangubai’s café still exists, so that helped the design team recreate the location authentically
-Subrata Chakraborty, production designer, Gangubai Kathiawadi

Interesting facts about film sets Planning a set starts with making bubble diagrams and scaled drawings in coordination with the director and DOP. The architectural design and study model comes in at a later stage.
The budget of a grand set could be anywhere between 25 and 45 crore.
In India usually sets are razed after the shoot.
Construction of sets usually begin in November-December and go on up to May, to avoid the rains. However, they are insured against damage in case of natural calamities or fires.