CNN Central News & Network–ITDC India Epress/ITDC News Bhopal: In movies and TV shows, you may have seen sets featuring the Himalayas, palaces, deserts, or glass palaces. Have you ever wondered how these sets are created?

For today’s Reel to Real segment, we spoke with art director Chokas Bharadwaj, material supplier Rajesh Singh, and set maker Sujit Sawant to uncover the big truths behind these cinematic marvels. They revealed that materials like fabric, paper, plywood, and thermocol are commonly used to create these sets.

Interesting Insights from Behind the Scenes:

Cow Dung Ash in Laxmii: Rajesh Singh shared that for Akshay Kumar’s film Laxmii, a large amount of ash (bhabhoot) was required. To meet this demand, ash was prepared by burning cow dung cakes.

Salman Khan’s Interest in Set Design: Chokas Bharadwaj mentioned that Salman Khan often gets involved in set design. During the film Hello Brother, Salman appreciated the work and even gave tips on improving the design.

Environmental Considerations: Sujit Sawant explained that the location and weather conditions are critical when designing sets. For example, sets near beaches in Goa are built to withstand strong winds and rain. Sets constructed underwater are made with biodegradable materials to avoid harming the environment.

Materials Used: Sets are typically made using plywood, thermocol, paper, and fabric. For short scenes lasting a day, lighter materials like paper and thermocol are used. For longer shoots, durable materials like POP, iron, and wood are preferred. Pinewood is often used as it resists decay.

Explosive Sets: For sets that require on-screen blasts, soft materials are used to ensure safety during explosions.

Bhansali’s Unique Requirements: Rajesh Singh, who has worked on films like Gangubai Kathiawadi and Heeramandi, revealed that Sanjay Leela Bhansali once needed a large quantity of cow dung for plastering purposes. Rajesh managed to fulfill this unusual requirement within an hour.

The Himalayas on TV: For the TV show Devon Ke Dev Mahadev, Chokas Bharadwaj designed a Himalayan set using POP and thermocol. To create realistic artificial trees, he coordinated with suppliers as far as China.

Financial Struggles of Art Directors: Chokas revealed that budget cuts have become a significant issue in the industry. Many art directors work on fixed budgets but often exceed them due to production demands, leading to financial stress. Unfortunately, some have even resorted to suicide due to unpaid dues.

Actors’ Roles on Sets: While some actors, like Salman Khan, actively engage in set design, others prefer to appreciate the work or focus solely on acting.

Tribute to Nana Patekar

The article concluded with a tribute to legendary actor Nana Patekar, who, even at 74, continues to excel with the vigor of an opening batsman. With a career spanning over 50 years, Nana has won three National Awards and earned admiration from icons like Satyajit Ray and Dilip Kumar.

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