One of the leading names in art direction and production design in Indian cinema, Samir Chanda is a craftsman to reckon with. Coupling aesthetics with techniques, Chanda’s intricate set-designs not only unleash a make-believe milieu to complement a film’s sequence but also stand out as signature creations in exquisite artistry.
His filmography reads like a roll count of box office blockbusters and Chanda who began his career in the 80s, has worked on a host of TV series too. Top-rung filmmakers like Shyam Benegal, Mani Ratnam and Vishal Bharadwaj have collaborated with him on thought-provoking projects. Chanda’s camaraderie with Benegal especially, goes back a long way, ever since the two collaborated on the National Award winning Mandi in 1983. Benegal and Chanda’s most recent outing was the critically acclaimed Well Done Abba.
“I share a very cordial relation with Benegalji. He is extremely down-to-earth,” says Chanda. “I got my first taste of success through his film. It’s been an almost 30-year-long association now.” He reminisces, “I went to Hyderabad to do a recce of outdoor locations for Mandi. Then I happened to notice a significant characteristic of the architecture. I found that the staircase in every building spiralled up from the middle of its frontal facade. This particular feature remained constant irrespective of the varying shape, colour, size or design of every house.” Having been on the interview board of the premier FTII institute for four consecutive years, Chanda had shared the dignified panel with other eminent heads.
Chanda, who recently worked on the production design of 7 Khoon Maaf, says, “I weigh every film with my heart. If I vibe well with a director, I get a green signal to go ahead immediately with the venture. If the wavelength matches, work becomes much easier.” Chanda has Pankaj Kapoor’s Mausam and Chittagong featuring Manoj Bajpai in the pipeline.