Bollywood, that once focussed its films on metro cities, is now shifting the setting to smaller cities. With films like Raanjhanaa, the Tanu Weds Manu franchise, Happy Bhag Jayegi and the upcoming Shubh Mangal Saavdhan, filmmaker Aanand L Rai is enjoying his run as the storyteller who finds nuggets in remote pockets of the country that can appeal to a large section of cinegoers.

Tanu and Manu of Tanu Weds Manu (shot in Lucknow), Zoya and Kundan of Raanjhanaa (shot in Benaras), Datto of Tanu Weds Manu Returns (shot in Haryana) and Happy of Happy Bhag Jayegi (shot in the interiors of Punjab) were created by Rai with a generous dose of middle-class sensibilities which were lapped up by the audience.



The filmmaker's upcoming film, Shubh Mangal Saavdhan, directed by R S Prasanna, featuring Ayushmann Khurrana and Bhumi Pednekar, has been extensively shot at Haridwar and Rishikesh, capturing the spirit of the holy cities. The real locations lend themselves beautifully to the narrative, almost becoming central to the story. Rai believes it's not only easy to narrate a story set in a real place but also more convincing.

“Our milieu and locations work as our characters and are equally important. I think my middle-class upbringing has shaped my cinematic vision to create stories set in small towns. It has helped me to portray the middle-class life in an honest way. Mudit (Ayushmann) and Sugandha (Bhumi) belong to Haridwar because the script demands so. Ditto for the other interesting characters who have been woven into the story accordingly. Once you see the film, you will be able to relate to it.“

Shubh Mangal Saavdhan, produced by Eros International and Colour Yellow Productions, releases on September 1.