Spotlight on the pines: Kasauli emerges filmmakers’ new muse

The quiet charm of Kasauli, long celebrated as a weekend retreat for weary city dwellers, is suddenly buzzing with a new rhythm — the call of “lights, camera, action!” What was once a sleepy hill station is fast turning into Bollywood’s latest playground, thanks to the rain-battered roads of Manali that forced filmmakers to scout for alternatives.

In a twist true to the saying, “one person’s loss is another’s gain,” Kasauli’s emerald-green hills and colonial-era charm are now doubling up as cinematic backdrops. At present, two major productions are weaving their stories into the misty landscapes here.

The first is a Hindi spy action thriller helmed by Aditya Dhar — who has also written, directed and co-produced the film. The ensemble cast is nothing short of star-studded: Ranveer Singh, Sanjay Dutt, R. Madhavan, Arjun Rampal and Rakesh Bedi.

Dhar, along with his wife and actor Yami Gautam, checked into the town last week, bringing along Ranveer Singh and Manav Gohil to film a few key sequences. The iconic Lawrence School, Sanawar, briefly shed its identity to transform into a dramatic stage where Singh performed, while the lush hills doubled as an unpolished, rustic set. Interestingly, Sanjay Dutt, an alumnus of the school, had yet to visit the shoot.

Not far away, another team has been hard at work. Sony TV’s crime thriller Undekhi is filming its much-anticipated fourth season amid the rolling pine forests. Produced by Applause Entertainment, the show has already drawn praise for its gripping narratives and this time the verdant Dharampur-Sanawar road has become its canvas.

Lead actor Surya Sharma, along with Dibyendu Bhattacharya, Varun Badola, and Lavina Tandon, has been camping in Kasauli since early September. Their crew has been crisscrossing ravines and valleys, capturing the town’s raw allure for over three weeks.

The influx has been a blessing for local businesses, particularly hotels and taxis that had suffered in the wake of heavy rains earlier this month. “What can be more heartening than seeing hotels booked in the lean season?” said Rocky Chimni, vice-president of the Kasauli Residents and Hoteliers Association. Optimistic that this is just the beginning, Chimni added: “With Manali out of bounds, Kasauli is emerging as a preferred rendezvous for filmmakers.”

For now, as pines sway gently in the mountain breeze, Kasauli is scripting its own story — one of resilience, opportunity and cinematic allure.