Cinematographer Sudeep Chatterjee has unveiled the inventive lighting techniques behind the cinematic landscapes of Sanjay Leela Bhansali‘s Gangubai Kathiawadi. Discussing this revelation, Chatterjee emphasized his creative approach in lighting the entire set without relying on natural sunlight, a move aimed at capturing Bhansali’s unique artistic vision.
In a striking statement, Chatterjee shared, “For Sanjay Leela Bhansali’s Gangubai Kathiawadi (2022), I tried to artificially light up an entire set—not just for night scenes, but for the day as well. Which means, instead of using the real sun, we created our own sun and a custom daylight ambience.”
To achieve this, the crew covered the film’s set at Mumbai’s Film City with a ceiling to reflect light, rejecting green screens in favor of a white luma key screen. This method resulted in a more realistic sky effect, avoiding the overexposure common when shooting naturally.
The film features Alia Bhatt, portraying a pivotal character rising to power. Supported by a talented cast including Shantanu Maheshwari, Vijay Raaz, and Ajay Devgn, the film’s narrative and visual execution have drawn significant interest.
Chatterjee’s innovative lighting techniques not only enrich Bhansali’s storytelling but also exemplify the meticulous planning and execution behind cinematic set designs. As viewers anticipate similar innovations in future projects, the impact on the industry remains noteworthy.
