Sanjay Leela Bhansali’s Heeramandi stands as a visual masterpiece. From the opulent design of the Shahi Mahal to the intricate wooden interiors of the Khwabgaah, and from the sparkling floor-to-ceiling chandeliers in the dancing halls to the gleaming carriages and ornate marble fountains that cleanse all sins—the set of this directorial magnum opus is both detailed and stunningly lavish.
With production budgets for Heeramandi reaching approximately Rs 200 crore, courtesy of Netflix, where the eight-part period drama is currently streaming, Bhansali had ample resources to bring his visionary creation to life in all its grandeur.
In an interview with Architectural Digest, the director, renowned for his opulent aesthetic style, disclosed that Heeramandi represents his largest set to date. Just like the buzz surrounding the series, which has become a hot topic across various social forums, here are some other Indian productions boasting some of the most expensive sets ever made.
Just like Heeramandi, here are six of the most lavish sets in Indian cinema and web series production, each costing millions:
.jpg)
- Devdas (2002): Sanjay Leela Bhansali’s adaptation of Sarat Chandra’s Devdas, starring Shahrukh Khan, Aishwarya Rai Bachchan, and Madhuri Dixit, was a grand spectacle. Bhansali invested over nine months and Rs 20 crore into recreating the zamindari houses of 1930s Calcutta, with a significant portion dedicated to Chandramukhi’s kotha.
- Rudra: Edge of Darkness (2022): Ajay Devgn’s debut on Disney+ Hotstar with Rudra: Edge of Darkness became India’s most expensive web series, with a staggering Rs 200 crore budget. A remake of the British series Luther, it featured Devgn as a formidable supercop chasing a notorious serial killer, with the actor charging Rs 21 crore per episode.
- Baahubali: The Beginning (2015): S S Rajamouli’s epic Baahubali set a new standard for grandeur in Indian cinema, costing Rs 60 crores for its majestic sets at Ramoji Film City. The studio retained the set, turning it into a tourist attraction.
4. Bombay Velvet (2015): Despite its commercial failure, Anurag Kashyap’s Bombay Velvet impressed with its authentic depiction of 1950s Mumbai. The Rs 16 crore set faithfully recreated the era, prompting filming in Sri Lanka to manage costs.
5. Porus (2017): Surprisingly, the most expensive TV show in India is Porus, which aired on Sony Entertainment Television from 2017 to 2021. Chronicling the Battle of the Hydaspes, this historical series boasted 249 episodes and a jaw-dropping Rs 500 crore budget.
6. Jodhaa Akbar (2008): Ashutosh Gowariker’s Jodhaa Akbar showcased the grandeur of Emperor Akbar’s court, with sets replicating the splendor of Amer Fort and Agra Fort. Set designer Nitin Desai recreated the exact interiors, all within a budget of Rs 12 crore.
These productions stand as testament to the Indian film industry’s penchant for creating larger-than-life spectacles, captivating audiences with their opulence and attention to details.
