After having garnered acclaim for films like Mallesham and Virata Parvam, Laxman Aelay’s stint as production designer seems to be progressive. He is now set for another outing with an upcoming film 8 AM Metro. Starring Saiyami Kher and Gulshan Devaiah the romantic drama is directed by Raj Rachakonda. The story revolves around two strangers who meet by chance on a metro train and form an unlikely friendship. They discover themselves and each other in the process. Talking about how he came on board, Laxman says that he worked with the director for the film Mallesham, and ever since both of them have been constantly sharing ideas. “It’s a story that is set in Hyderabad,” says Laxman, adding, “As a part of story telling the film also showcases the city’s cultural heritage and modern architecture.”
Interestingly, the majority of the film is shot on location, with no sets. And Laxman observes that a production designer is not always required to build sets.
“If you don’t know what to do its ok, but you should know what not to do,” he jokes, saying “This is a film that demands to be shot in real locations as such we did not construct even a single set. To achieve the desired realistic appeal and mood, we shot the film based on the characters and the story. Sometimes the beauty in visual appeal comes from actual locations.”
The film was shot in the interiors of Charminar, Falaknuma Palace and surrounding areas to show how culturally rich the city is. “We also shot at the Paigah Tombs in Malakpet, highlighting the interior designs and architecture of the monuments. We also had Nooran sisters singing Khawali songs,” he says, adding, “We also captured modern Hyderabad by shooting in Gachibowli and the financial district."
However, Laxman claims that the most difficult part was obtaining permission to shoot in realistic locations. “This is an unusual role and challenge because a production designer typically builds sets, but I spent the majority of my time doing recee, finding locations, and obtaining permissions.”
Having worked as a publicity designer for several blockbuster films in the 90s like Gulabi, Anaganaga Oka Roju, Satya, Ninne Pelladutha and Rangeela among many, Laxman, who is also a renowned artist, says that working in cinema is a multi-dimensional task.
“My perspective while drawing was to get the designs just right. However, as a production designer, I must ensure that my artwork is in sync with the narrative while also thinking from the filmmakers’ perspective,” he explains.
