Sanjay Leela Bhansali’s Saawariya unfolds in a universe bathed almost entirely in blue, lending it a dreamlike, otherworldly quality. Inspired by Fyodor Dostoevsky’s 1848 short story White Nights, the film follows an artist’s longing for an unattainable love, mirroring its melancholic, fairytale aesthetic. With ornate sets, flowing fabrics and a painterly approach to light, Saawariya is an ode to unfulfilled romance, wrapped in Bhansali’s signature visual opulence.
Available to rent on Prime Video
Dev.D (2009)
Anurag Kashyap’s rebellious reimagining of Devdas swaps grandeur for grunge, using neon-drenched visuals to capture its protagonist’s descent into self-destruction. The film’s riotous mix of fluorescent reds, blues and greens creates a hypnotic, chaotic world where desire, addiction and heartbreak collide. With a pulsating Amit Trivedi soundtrack and a gritty, psychedelic aesthetic, Dev.D transforms a classic tragedy into a sensory experience.
Streaming on Netflix
The Grand Budapest Hotel (2014)
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