The highly anticipated grand premiere of Bigg Boss Malayalam Season 7 is just hours away, and social media is buzzing with excitement. While fans are naturally eager to witness the grand entry of superstar Mohanlal, there’s another major highlight they’re looking forward to — the grand reveal of the Bigg Boss house. This season, the house is set up in an all-new location, and as hinted at through a stunning sand art narration by the host himself, the visual spectacle promises to be extraordinary. To give us an exclusive glimpse into the magic behind the scenes, we caught up with none other than Rupali Kanchankumar Bandawane, the creative force and set designer behind this season’s house.“This season, the theme of the house is ‘Indo-Contemporary Fusion of Art’. We’ve aimed to create a distinctive blend of traditional Indian aesthetics with modern design elements. Classic motifs like paisley and floral patterns have been seamlessly integrated with bold geometric shapes and abstract forms. Rich Indian hues such as vermilion and turmeric are contrasted with vibrant contemporary shades like neon pink and electric blue. To further enhance the space, we’ve reimagined ancient Indian art forms—like mural paintings and frescoes—using modern techniques and materials, giving each corner of the house a fresh yet culturally rooted vibe,” says the designer.In addition to the artwork and aesthetic design, Rupali shares that the team has also made a conscious effort to bring elements of nature into the house.See More:Bigg Boss Malayalam 7 Grand Launch Live Updates: The stage is set for the much-awaited season“Bigg Boss contestants often miss the presence of nature while being confined inside the house. So, this time, we’ve made a conscious effort to incorporate greenery and natural landscapes that can offer a sense of enrichment. Whether it’s the creepers in the garden area or the landscape-inspired elements in the living space, everything is designed to bring a refreshing vibe. Each element in the house is dynamic—it shifts in mood over time and can even mirror the emotional state of the person observing it,” Rupali explains.Addressing the rumors about a jungle theme or a “heaven and hell” concept in the house, the designer clarifies, “No, there isn’t a jungle theme as such. However, we’ve incorporated plenty of natural elements plants, landscapes, trees, birds, and more, to bring in the essence of nature. Also, for the first time in a while, the house won’t have any separations. We’re bringing back a large, common bedroom where all the contestants will stay together.”
Kanchan Bandawane and the team, led by Parag Kadam and Rupali Bandawane, are among the most sought-after set designers in the country. They are the creative minds behind the stunning sets of shows like Bigg Boss Tamil, Sa Re Ga Ma Pa, Raja Rani, Anu Banda Awarda, Dadasaheb Phalke Awards, Super Singer, and Star Pravah Awards. Their expertise also extends to the film industry, having designed the visually captivating song sets in movies like Brahmāstra, Rocky Aur Rani Kii Prem Kahaani, and many more. Notably, they were also the ones who designed the Bigg Boss Malayalam house last season.Speaking about designing a brand-new set exclusively for the Malayalam edition, Rupali shared that the experience was both challenging and exciting in equal measure.“Usually, when we take on a Bigg Boss set, we at least have a basic wall structure to start with. But this time, we had to build everything from scratch. While it was creatively exciting to conceptualize something entirely our own, the real challenge was meeting the tight deadline. Typically, we get around 60 days to complete a set, but here, the first 10 to 15 days were spent just on groundwork. Still, thanks to my incredible team and the dedication of around 60 artists, we managed to bring it all together. This is undoubtedly one of the biggest sets ever created for Bigg Boss Malayalam—in fact, it’s even larger than the Tamil version,” she adds.While Rupali remained tight-lipped about the complete details of the set, a few intriguing hints did slip through. Notably, there won’t be a swimming pool in the house this time. The infamous jail, however, comes with a twist—it’s designed with a slanting structure that’s bound to make contestants dread a stay there. She also teased that the addition of a mysterious new feature, a puzzle room, as she calls it, is sure to bring the real ‘pani’, promising daily challenges for the housemates. And for a quirky touch, keep an eye out for a striking Bougainvillea-themed painting in the washroom area.When asked about her favorite spots in the house, the designer revealed that the central landscape and the kitchen area hold a special place in her heart.“I believe the central landscape will be the main attraction this season. It’s lush with greenery and filled with plants to bring a refreshing vibe to the contestants. I’m also very fond of the kitchen area! While kitchens are often designed with a burst of colors, this time we chose a vibrant white with textured finishes. And it’s not just about the colors, both the kitchen and dining spaces showcase exquisite handcrafted art. We collaborated with artists from different parts of the country who created stunning cane and bamboo works, making these areas truly unforgettable,” she concluded.
