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With the Indian film Industry getting worldwide recognition, the film fraternity ought to move toward professionalism. Art director Nitin Desai�s contribution to the same is his prop house, a

one-stop-shop for all kinds of props, available in different styles belonging to different periods. The Prop House belongs to his ND Studio initiative, a studio in Karjat that he plans to

expand and build to match international standards.

�Over the years my research team and my karigars have gathered and created a whole array of props,� says Desai. �Why throw away all that effort when it can be put to use in the future?

Today about 75-80 per cent of the props required in a film is out of this prop house. Only the special props particular to the script or the period are created. Saves time, money and effort,� he

adds.

The 240 feet long prop house is divided into organised sections. It stocks rows of columns and pillars in various architectural styles: Roman, Muslim and Khajuraho. A section consisting of

idols and religious accessories from different religions stands next to a shelf stuffed with laboratory equipment.

An extensive collection of lamps has lamp stands belonging to different periods and lampshades in various shapes and designs. A number of lanterns hang from one of the shelves, which

Desai says are an essential prop in period films.

Apart from these, you will find �jail props� �bar props� and props belonging to categories like �wedding�, �musical instruments�, �telephones�, �laboratory equipment�, �vases and pots� and the

list never ends. There even stands a train in its actual size that is dismantled with its fans, seats and windows placed next to the neatly folded doors.

The endless corridors of the prop house stock props that belong to Desai�s 22-year-old career in the film industry. Props date back to his first big film 1942 A love story, which have been

through his career, been used in a number of other films and stand proud of their legacy with the film industry.

With the wide array of films Desai takes on, this prop house is easily the largest and most precious collection the film industry possesses. �Main industry ka putra hoon aur industry ne

mujhe banaya hai. This is my chance to give back to the industry a part of all that they have given me,� says Desai.

Columns from the Devdas haveli

These Khajuraho styled columns were created specially for the extravagant Devdas haveli that won scores of awards for its décor. Made with a mix of fibreglass and plaster, these pillars are

not only stronger but also have a longer life. With a simple touch up, they can be re-used to suit any film�s required look.

Pichkaris from Mangal Pandey-The Rising

These were used in the famous song Holi re, which had Aamir Khan, Rani Mukherjee and the rest of the cast dipping these pichkaris in coloured waters as part of the Holi celebrations.

Copper vessels from Lagaan

These vessels found their way to the famous village of Champaner from Lagaan, where we saw Bhuvan Aamir Khan and his entire team eating out of them. The authenticity of a recreated

village comes from banal props such as these that help it look so real.

Old photo frames from Lagaan

The Prop House has a huge collection of old photo frames: wooden, silver, plain and carved. This frame was used in Lagaan to frame Elizabeth Russell�s picture, while a number of old

wooden frames have been used in Feroz Abbas Khan�s Gandhi my Father.

Silver-plated vases from Devdas

Carefully placed artifacts that belonged to the particular time and environment of Devdas added to the lavishness of the sets. These silver-plated vases were part of the Devdas haveli. They

were specially made by a karigar in Kolkata to be part of its interior décor.

Printing machine from Gandhi my father

Gandhi�s printing press was recreated for this film and it required a number of printing machines from that period. Desai was lucky to find this machine in an old press in Lower Parel. The

owner of the press was glad to sell it as he was updating his Press.

Bullock cart from Lagaan

The prop house has about 5-6 different types of bullock and handcarts that were used in Lagaan. Storage constraints mean they are stored in a garage like place made for all prop vehicles.

While some were borrowed from the local villages, the others were made matching the originals.

Paintings from Mangal Pandey-The Rising

Paintings of Kings, Queens, and Generals of the Army, navigators and maps of countries were recreated for the film. These paintings were used in the interior décor of the British Army

officials� offices to give an additional touch of reality to the period.

Aamir�s instrument from Lagaan�s Radha kaise na jale

This unique musical instrument, like a dandiya stick with ghungroos at one end, was used as part of the Radha kaise na jale song from Lagaan. Aamir Khan uses the instrument while teasing

and wooing Gracy Singh in the song.

Trumpet from Mangal Pandey-The Rising

This trumpet with a typical East India Company flag attached was found in the Barrackpore cantonment market in Kolkata. Amongst an extensive collection of musical instruments, the

trumpet now shares shelf space with the sarangi Rani Mukherjee used in her mujra in Lagaan.

Musical instruments from Mangal Pandey-The Rising

You will remember these instruments from the film�s title song Mangal mangal. Kailash Kher and his troupe played nomadic singers who travelled on an elephant through villages playing

music on these instruments and singing tales of bravery.

Ektara from Lagaan

Remember Guran from Lagaan? He was the crazy bearded prophet whose trademark style of swinging the bat in 360 degree rotations took the Brits by shock. Guran�s constant

accompaniment throughout the film is this ektara. A closer look at it can be got in the beginning of the song Mitwa, which starts with him playing the instrument.

Sequined pots from Hum Dil De Chuke Sanam

This was another film with sets that took the audiences by awe. The popular garba song �dhol baje� had everything on screen shining and sparkling, taking opulence to a whole new degree.

Colourful sequined matkas were stacked one on top of the other in the typical garba style and were used as part of this song sequence.

An 1860 horse carriage from Devdas

This horse carriage used in Devdas was brought in from Kolkata and belongs to the 1860s. It took a lot of searching in the interiors of old Calcutta to find it. Desai prefers getting his props

from the place where the film is set as it gives more authenticity to the film�s overall look.

Desai�s oldest props from 1942 A Love Story

One of the oldest props in Desai�s filmography, these lampposts were used in the Romeo and Juliet styled sets of �Kuch na kaho� in 1942 A Love Story. The lampposts have been used in

other period films like Mangal Pandey � The Rising and will be used in Desai�s ongoing project Raja Ravi Verma directed by Ketan Mehta.

Aishwarya�s wedding doli

A ''prop'' did manage to make its way into the much-hyped Abhiash wedding. Desai specially designed this wedding doli, made of rich red velvet and golden embroidery, for Aishwarya. It looks

like something straight out of a typical grand-scale Bollywood film, treating the actress just as she likes it.

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