Air of authenticity
Director Abhishek Sharma recently cordoned off a platform at Mumbai’s Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Terminus (CSMT) to film a crucial sequence with Manoj Bajpayee and Diljit Dosanjh for his upcoming movie Suraj Pe Mangal Bhari. The director admits that he had initially considered recreating the station, but had a change of heart. Shared Abhishek Sharma, “Ramoji (Film City in Hyderabad) houses pre-created sets of railway stations. Usually, filmmakers like to shoot in a controlled environment, but to me that felt inauthentic. Since the film is set in the ‘90s, Victoria Terminus was the perfect venue. It turned out to be more expensive, but the venue lent an air of authenticity to the scene.”
Filming at one of the busiest railway stations in the world is no mean feat, especially in a city that is always eager to catch a glimpse of their favourite stars. The railway authorities, he informed, cordoned off platform number 10 for the two-day stint. The director added, “We shot from 7 am to 7 pm. The railway authorities also provided a special train with a diesel engine, which was typical of the ‘90s, unlike the current electric ones. We were bursting with child-like excitement, and took turns to check out the engine and blow the horn.”
Also featuring Fatima Sana Shaikh, the film depicts the comic scene that ensues when Bajpayee’s wedding detective runs a background check on a prospective groom, essayed by Dosanjh.
