"I don’t shy away from hard work."
Without skilled production designers, Bollywood films are always incomplete.
Also referred to as set design or art direction, production design alludes to the practice of creating shooting sets for movies.
Throughout Bollywood’s history, the individuals who oversee set work have proven to be meticulous and particular about how things look.
Their skill infuses the films with finesse and detail, enhancing the film’s aesthetics.
The result is often beautiful scenes onscreen that provide an unforgettable viewing experience for the audience.
Paying tribute to these accomplished artists, DESIblitz gives you ten talented production designers of Bollywood.
Ram Yedekar
Ram Yedekar’s work shone in many classics of Indian cinema.
He designed sets for enduring blockbusters such as Guide (1965), Sholay (1975), and Main Tulsi Tere Aangan Ki (1978).
Sholay was touted as one of the first films of its kind, being filmed on rocky terrains over two years.
Yedekar skilfully creates the village of Ramgarh, where Veeru (Dharmendra) and Jai (Amitabh Bachchan) arrive to deal with the ruthless dacoit Gabbar Singh (Amjad Khan).
Meanwhile, Guide is a visual masterpiece, with colour and brightness decorating the iconography.
The village where Raju (Dev Anand) becomes a reluctant holy man is drought-stricken. Yedekar makes this a reality through his fine artwork.
The films Yedekar worked on would not have been as successful without his production design.
Sharmishta Roy
When it comes to Bollywood production designers in the 1990s, Sharmishta Roy is perhaps the brightest name.
Sharmishta was born to acclaimed designer Sudhendu Roy, who produced sets for stalwarts including Bimal Roy and Yash Chopra.
In the mid-1990s, she followed in her father’s footsteps and made a mark in films including Yeh Dillagi (1994), Dilwale Dulhania Le Jayenge (1995), and Dil To Pagal Hai (1997).
Sharmishta continued working extensively in the 2000s and 2010s.
She has continued adorning films with her talent in the 2020s, with Karan Johar’s Rocky Aur Rani Kii Prem Kahaani (2023) being a prime example.
For her work in films such as Dil To Pagal Hai (1997), Kuch Kuch Hota Hai (1998), and Kabhi Khushi Kabhie Gham (2001), Sharmishta Roy won Filmfare Awards.
Sabu Cyril
A recipient of several accolades including National Film and Filmfare Awards, Sabu Cyril is one of the most talented artists in Bollywood.
From a young age, Sabu had an affinity for nature, cinema, and wildlife, which perhaps drew him to design.
He began his career in Bollywood with Muskurahat (1992) and continued acing his profession in several more films.
These movies include Asoka (2001), Om Shanti Om (2007), and Krrish 3 (2013).
Explaining his fearless attitude to his work, Sabu says: “I’m not scared, I don’t shy away from hard work and always attempt to do things better than what I’ve done before.
“Every day presents a new problem. That is what is very challenging for us.
“I believe very strongly that if another person has done it, I can too.
“I want to try something which another person couldn’t have achieved, or can’t do better than I can.”
Nitin Chandrakant Desai
Nitin Chandrakant Desai’s design was always an ornament for the films he worked on.
Famous for his work on Lagaan (2001) and Devdas (2002), Nitin created opulent sets which left an indelible mark on the audience.
He oversaw the fictional village of Champaner in Lagaan and masterminded the elegance of Prem Ratan Dhan Paayo (2015).
Nitin was the recipient of four National Film Awards and three Filmfare Awards.
In 2016, he was awarded the Padma Shri – India’s fourth-highest civilian honour.
Tragically, Nitin took his life in his office in August 2023.
This was reportedly due to financial difficulties including bankruptcy and unpaid loans.
Following his death, Bollywood stars including Riteish Deshmukh, Kangana Ranaut, and Sanjay Dutt all paid tribute to Nitin.
At the 2024 Academy Awards, he was also remembered.
Rachna Rastogi Sen
Rachna Rastogi Sen has not only worked on movies, but she has also carved her career path through television.
Regarding Bollywood, she has produced sets for films including Dhoom 2 (2006) and Karthik Calling Karthik (2010).
Dhoom 2 particularly required attention to detail due to its stunts and action scenes.
Rachna also designed the production of the animated film Arjun: The Warrior Prince (2012).
In an interview, Rachna spoke about the difference between working on a live-action film and an animated movie.
She says: “Production design for animation liberates us from the budget constraints – elaborate sets, décor, costume pose.
“It adds the complexity of designing every minute detail, especially of props and décor or natural environment, which would have been sourced in a live-action film.
“This dramatically increases time at the design stage.”
Via her different projects, Rachna Rastogi Sen proves her versatility.
Sujeet Sawant–Sriram Iyengar
This production designer duo have a knack for creating unusual yet grand sets.
For example, they worked on Sanjay Leela Bhansali’s Bajirao Mastani (2015).
The films of Sanjay are famous for their grandeur and trademark royalty. In Bajirao Mastani, Sujeet and Sriram outdo themselves.
Speaking about their groundwork in the film, Sawant says: “We went to Pune and Satara to visit the ruins of Maratha homes.
“We found a traditional Maharashtrian residential colony) that we used as a reference to plan for the seat of Peshwa rulers in the film.”
The duo also comment on how Neerja (2016) became the turning point in their careers:
“[We have] worked on 22 films. But none of them has taken off the way Neerja has.
“I’m flooded with congratulatory calls and messages like never before.”
Subrata Chakraborty
An experienced name in Bollywood production design, Subrata Chakraborty has a staggering body of work behind him.
He also is known for his collaborations with fellow designer Amit Ray.
Some of his most impressive films include Haider (2014), Padmaavat (2018), and Gangubai Kathiawadi (2022).
He also reunited with Sanjay Leela Bhansali for the opulent sets of Heeramandi: The Diamond Bazaar (2024).
Underlining his passion for his craft, Subrata says: “We stayed in Kashmir for months to understand how a house is built and replicate the same.
“For me, passion is more important than price.”
In the category of Production Design, Sabu was chosen to be on the jury for the Academy Awards.
He also divulged his reaction to this, stating: “Needless to say, I was in seventh heaven.
“They had taken me after a lot of scrutiny. It was a big honour for me.”
Samir Chanda
Samir Chanda was a renowned production designer who began his career with Subhash Ghai’s Ram Lakhan (1989).
He won a Filmfare Award for his work on Vishal Bhardwaj’s Omkara (2006).
Samir’s other work includes the design in films including Rang De Basanti (2006), Guru (2007), and Ghajini (2008).
For Guru, he won his second Filmfare Award in 2008.
On August 18, 2011, Samir Chanda passed away aged 53.
After his death, Subhash Ghai said: “I am shocked. [Samir] was polite, innovative, and dedicated.
“He was a great art director, always loving and smiling.
“He was indeed a man of integrity. This is a great loss for us.”
Mustafa Stationwala
Mustafa Stationwala is the genius behind the aesthetics of films including Airlift (2016) and Laal Singh Chaddha (2022).
The complex production design of both films requires a calm and collected mind to be at work.
Mustafa nails the detailed sets of Airlift and the episodic scenes of Laal Singh Chaddha.
In an interview, Mustafa explained how his natural inkling to suggest props convinced him to venture into production design.
He adds: “You have to have the correct temperament and attitude to be a director.
“I am not that person because I’m very short-tempered.”
Mustafa Stationwala certainly chose the correct path, becoming one of Bollywood’s finest production designers.
Rajat Poddar
Rajat Poddar was known for his excellent work in a vibrant array of films.
Such movies included Barfi (2012), Gunday (2014), and Bhool Bhulaiyaa 2 (2022).
While these films may not have been on opulent scales like Bhansali or Gowariker, they still demanded intricate details to make them shine.
Rajat sadly passed away in 2024 in London due to a cardiac arrest.
Following his death, tributes poured in from the industry.
Filmmaker Ashoke Pandit called his death “a great loss to the film, TV, and advertising industry.”
Rajat left behind a shimmering body of work.
Bollywood production designers have the craft of composing, erecting, and creating magnificent sets.
Without their work, the films we love so much would not shine as brightly and uniquely.
Each designer brings something original to the table, leaving their stamp firmly on their projects.
In layered production teams, these people sometimes get overshadowed by directors, actors, and musicians.
However, the truth is that production designers are the glue that holds our films together.
For that, they deserve to always be respected and celebrated.
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