Bollywood goes back to its roots in rural towns of India
MUMBAI: Bollywood is taking the eyebrow-raising step of moving back to the rural towns of India. A growing number of Hindi films are being shot in rural settings.
Abhiraj Minawala, who’s making his directorial debut with Loveratri claims to have discovered just how culturally rich Baroda is while shooting there.
Over the next few months, you can expect to catch a glimpse of these locations on the big screen. Sui Dhaaga has been shot in Chanderi, Madhya Pradesh; Mitron, in Ahmedabad, Gujarat; Manmarziyaan, in Amritsar, Punjab; Milan Talkies, in Lucknow and Mathura; Loveratri, in Baroda, Gujarat; Kedarnath, in Uttarakhand; Arjun Patiala and Ek Ladki Ko Dekha Toh Aisa Laga, in Patiala, Punjab; Luka Chuppi, in Mathura; and Batti Gul Meter Chalu, in Tehri, Uttrakhand.
Figured Shree Narayan Singh, the director of Batti Gul Meter Chalu, a film about the electricity issues faced by the residents of small towns, “I personally relate to the story as I come from a small town. As residents of metro cities, we enjoy a lot of comforts. But in small towns, even a minuscule issue can become a massive problem. There are so many more subjects waiting to be explored, stories that need to be told.”
“People want to see their own country,” affirms his producer, Bhushan Kumar,
Minawala, who’s making his directorial debut with Loveratri claims to have discovered just how culturally rich Baroda is while shooting there. “The flavour of the city has not been seen in cinema in recent times.
Also, what adds value is the audience in these towns. Our reach increases so much when people connect with our films.”