Chandigarh calling for Bollywood

Bollywood seems to have traded the Swiss Alpine peaks for the lush fields of Punjab as an increasing number of films are now being shot in the picturesque locales of Chandigarh.

The past few months have seen a barrage of B-town actors descend on the city for their various shoots, and the locals are only too excited to spot their favourite stars there.

Films like the recent Kangna Ranaut-R Madhavan starrer, Mere Brother Ki Dulhan starring actors Katrina Kaif and Imran Khan and the Shahid Kapoor-Sonam Kapooor-starrer Mausam, too have all been shot there in recent times. And a shooting schedule of the Akshay Kumar-Sonakshi Sinha starrer Joker is still going on there.

In the past, Dev D, Jab We Met, Namaste London, and Singh is King are some of the other films that have been shot there.

Film-makers reveal that it has much to do with both — getting picture-perfect locations as well as saving on production costs. A producer informs, “Shooting in Chandigarh cuts down on costs by several lakhs. Flying the entire unit to foreign locales is an extremely expensive proposition. Besides, when you can get similar locations here itself, then why head elsewhere?"

Director Shirish Kunder agrees, but says that more than money, what the place provides are perfect locales. "We needed the desi flavour and Chandigarh provides the perfect combination of beautiful locations, a good infra-structure and easy access to all amenities," he says.

For actress Katrina Kaif, it was the experience of shooting there that makes the place so special. "The people there were really warm and loving. They made the shoot so much fun," says the Bolly beauty.

"There’s a certain simplicity in the way of living there that just wins your heart over," shares hottie Kangna of her own experience of shooting in Chandigarh. "Besides, filming there during winter ensures a good weather and fantastic shooting conditions too," says director Aanand L Rai. No wonder, then that all roads in Bollywood are leading to Chandigarh.