Bollywood movies are known for their extravagant costumes, set designs, and music that make them stand apart from most film industries. But did you know that these highly prolific sets are not just really good VFx? Directors have gone that extra mile to spend exorbitant amounts on set designs, going from one place to another to find a location resonating with their film’s idea. These are some of the most expensive Bollywood movie sets ever made.

Mughal-e-Azam

Mughal-e-Azam is an age-old, cinematic masterpiece. It has got great dialogues, music, and a wonderful set design. For the song ‘Pyaar Kiya Toh Darna Kya’, it took two whole years to build it. It had to be an exact replica of the Lahore Fortt’s Sheesh Mahal.

Devdas

Devdas – a different and complex love triangle played by the three leads – Shah Rukh Khan, Aishwarya Rai Bachchan, and Madhuri Dixit Nene is truly a cinematic masterpiece in itself. Directed by Sanjay Leela Bhansali, the sets were finalized and designed within 9 months, with a budget of more than Rs. 20 crores.

Jodhaa Akbar

Huge sets were constructed to portray the palace lives of Jodha Akbar, starring Hrithik Roshan and Aishwarya Rai Bachchan. Directed by Ashutosh Gowarikar, the movie had a total budget of Rs. 12 crores.

Bajirao Mastaani

Known to be one of Sanjay Leela Bhansali’s finest movies, Bajirao Mastaani had actors Deepika Padukone, Ranveer Singh and Shahid Kapoor. It was shot in the Aina Mahal in Gujarat through 23 huge sets, and a great amount of the total budget – a whopping Rs. 145 crores – was spent on the sets and the costumes of the actors.

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Kalank

Kalank was not really a blockbuster, but the amount of money spent behind the sets and the costumes speak of Bollywood’s focus on the intricate details in a movie. Directed by Karan Johar and Sajid Nadiadwala, Rs. 15 crores were spent behind the set design, and additionally on Vfx.

Source: GQ India