In Saawariya, the town itself pulses with shadowed grandeur—Bhansali’s vision of a world that is sumptuous, melancholic, and slightly unreal. Omung Kumar’s sets layer European and colonial Indian influences: domed rooftops, arched windows, narrow cobbled streets, and antique clock towers loom like silent witnesses. Every texture, from peeling paint to polished brass, is meticulously curated; a palette of deep blues, emeralds, and muted golds gives the space a jewel-like richness that feels both enchanting and heavy. Candlelight and soft, diffused illumination sculpt the architecture, casting deliberate shadows that echo the characters’ longing, obsession, and isolation. Here, the environment is an emotional mirror, a space where opulence and melancholy coexist, making the town itself a living, breathing extension of the story.

Guzaarish (2010)

Bhansali Productions, Sanjay Leela Bhansali Films, UTV Motion Pictures, and Prime Focus

In Guzaarish, production designer Sumit Basu sculpted a Goa mansion that balances grandeur with restraint, turning space itself into a reflection of Ethan Mascarenhas’s life. The house, inspired by Spanish-Portuguese architecture, features arched windows, wrought-iron balconies, and layered courtyards that create a sense of both openness and enclosure. Walls are finished in earthy ochres and muted greens, occasionally punctuated with deep reds, while polished wood floors and vintage furnishings lend texture and weight to every room. Lighting is carefully calibrated: sunlight streams through tall windows, casting long shadows that exaggerate the volume of space, while low, indirect lamps trace the contours of furniture and corridors, emphasizing the mansion’s sculptural quality. Every element—from the carved wooden doors to the placement of mirrors and the curve of staircases serves to ground the film in a tactile, moody elegance, where opulence feels lived-in and contained rather than flamboyant.

7 Khoon Maaf (2011)

Vishal Bhardwaj Pictures and UTV Spotboy