[Int. Studio Set Up in a Large Room]
As Sunita and Pu La pose together for a certain magazine shoot, the studio setup speaks directly of power. The director of the shoot is in sole control of the whole place and is the puppeteer of this space. This translates through the swings on top where the crew awaits. The director potentially lowers crew members including hair and makeup, spot boys etc whenever they are needed. For finally getting off, the crew members use these huge slides because the director could not be bothered to lower them one last time. The control panels along the setup reiterate this dynamic. Thus this overall joyous looking set with flying cameras, ceiling cloth hangers and colourful slides defies the onlooker at first glance with all its intentions.
PUPPETRY - A PHOTOSHOOT SET
[Int. Shared Study Room, Work Space]
MI PHULARAJA
Mi Phularaja imagines a film set in the year 2050, inspired by the life and legacy of Pu La Deshpande. Reinterpreting his world through a speculative future, the project explores reversed gender roles—by largely exaggerating then— and places the characters within a world that is like Barabella’s. It is a playful study of identity and culture.
2023
YEAR
Fictional Spaces (Studio Semester IV)
PART OF
Narrative Building, Set Design &
SCOPE
This is a shared space between Pu La Deshpande and Sunita Deshpande. We see Pu La’s side of the room largely neglected. Anyone coming down from the elevator can hardly see Pu La behind Sunita’s huge monitor. The rug even ends before his drip table and he is situated in one corner, largely neglected. Subtle nuances speak of who the room is really for and about. While Pu La’s reading stand comes from the top, Sunita’s comes from the ceiling reinstating the hierarchy between the two. She even has her own little stage for readings and rehearsals. The chandeliers also speak of who the room is really for, while there is a small jellyfish on top of Pu La’s desk, there is a huge octopus above Sunita’s side of the room.
GALLIMAUFRY - THE STUDY IN SUNITA AND PU LA DESHPANDE'S HOME
[Music Composing Studio]
The Music Composing Studio is one of the few places where Pu La is in charge and is commanding the space. The bubble structures are all arranged around Pu La’s, it is almost as though he is conducting an orchestra. Even with this huge position of power, the studio is placed underwater which makes these people making music jesters for the aquatic life that lives in the sea. And making this studio underwater again talks about how Pu La does not have any agency in the real world, above water, on ground. The study set ties into this set, where we now see an octopus hovering around Pu La’s pod (more power, attention) while jellyfish surround the other pods.
MOMENTARY MONUMENTALITY - MUSIC COMPOSING STUDIO
[A "Modern" Day Theatre]
This huge theatre is generally where Sunita Deshpande performs. The stage is the form of a shell, painting Sunita as a priceless pearl because of the woman she is. Around this stage are the seats. These seats are separated by huge banana peel structures, where each part of the peel houses a row of seats. Every seat has a screen. Once an audience member is seated, they move the screen in front of them. Here on this screen they can see the stage from different points. The stage is largely empty and is solely occupied by the actor, thus on this screen one sees the sets and props. This adds to the intimidation that the audience brings. The performer is constantly aware that everyone watches them from everywhere.
MAGNUM OPUS - A MODERN DAY TEMPLATE
[Int. Living and Dining Area]
This set plays with the idea of power and control. This is one of the most crucial spaces defining Pu La Deshpande’s character. In his own home, he becomes part of an observatory. As he cooks for his wife in this glass globe kitchen, his wife eagerly waits for the meal right outside on the seating running along the kitchen. This see-through kitchen is a commentary on gender roles with the female hand chandelier directly above it, giving its blessing. With this, the rest of the space, although warm and welcoming, has an intimidating absurdness to it and is adorned with eccentric pieces all throughout.
RECLUSIVITY - THE HOME OF SUNITA AND PU LA DESHPANDE
