Four directors, who have set their last few films in their favourite cities, tell Mirror why they find themselves returning there every time they have a new story to tell
Natasha Coutinho (MUMBAI MIRROR; February 15, 2019)

SHOOJIT SIRCAR: ‘Everyone in Delhi is a character’

Location: Delhi

Films: October, Pink, Piku, Vicky Donor

Delhi is my favourite city because I did my schooling and college there, and also theatre. I know the streets, the people and the food. Chhole bhature and kulche are the first things my team gets for me every time I am there.

Everyone in Delhi is a character; they can be a part of every film. I’m comfortable with the milieu and the characters inhabiting it mirror the messages of my films. Vicky Donor was set in Daryaganj while Piku was in CR Park where I’ve lived. Pink reflected it’s dark side and the location was a character with an identity. October was set in the hotel industry there where I’d worked. I know the winters in Delhi quite well. There is no commercial reason for setting my stories in the Capital, it’s just for sentimental reasons… Out of love for my memories.


SRIRAM RAGHAVAN: ‘I wanted to capture bits of Pune which would completely change soon’

Location: Pune

Films: Andhadhun, Badlapur, Johnny Gaddaar

The first film I shot in Pune was for my FTII diploma film, a fantasy titled The Eight Column Affair, which was set in the popular local newspaper Maharashtra Herald and was shot in various locations, including MG Road (Main Street), St Vincent’s High School, the Kirkee War Memorial and the Herald’s press. I did my schooling and college in Pune. As a kid, I watched as many movies as I could, and have fond memories of cinemas like the West End, The Empire and Natraj, among others. It’s a beautiful city, and much easier and convenient to shoot in than Mumbai.

Geographically, Pune has helped me with scripts of my last few directorials, Johnny Gaddaar (2007) and Badlapur. Badlapur is an actual place between Pune and Mumbai. And while Andhadhun could have been shot anywhere, I wanted to capture a bit of the Pune which would completely change soon.

I shot parts of Andhadhun in the theatre Rahul 70MM, where I’ve seen classics like Jaws and Enter The Dragon, for cheap thrills.

The old Westend Cinema near Main Street was a wonderful theatre too. It had cane armchairs and a soda fountain. The theatre is long gone, and a hotel stands in its place now. We shot the interval scene of Badlapur in that very hotel.


ALI ABBAS ZAFAR: ‘I remember complete chaos when we shot in Old Delhi’

Location: Delhi

Films: Sultan, Tiger Zinda Hai, Mere Brother Ki Dulhan

The most important aspect about Delhi is natural and architectural beauty. I did my college there so my characters subconsciously land in Delhi. It is also because every location in a film is also a character.

I shot my first film, Mere Brother Ki Dulhan, with Katrina Kaif and Imran Khan there. After that I went on to shoot at similar locations for Sultan, Tiger Zinda Hai and now Bharat. During Mere Brother Ki Dulhan, we were shooting in Old Delhi and I remember complete chaos when it came to security because 5000 people landed on the set. We had to lock the premises and couldn’t get out for a long time.

ANEES BAZMEE: ‘Makes sense commercially as we get subsidies’

Location: London

Films: Pagalpanti, Mubarakan

Whenever I visited London, I’ve loved the place and the weather. I have a lot of friends there who keep sending me food so there’s an emotional connect too. It also makes sense commercially as we get subsidies to shoot there. Besides, things just align whenever I’m shooting there.

We started shooting Mubarakan in February, when it is terribly cold. I shot outdoors at night for the first two days. It was difficult but we pulled through before moving indoors.

Pagalpanti will start on Sunday with a night schedule close to Carlton Gardens in Westminster. In the film, the jungle is supposed to be haunted, leaving the actors terrified of ghosts. We will also be filming at Allerton Towers, a 35-acre park in South Liverpool, as also Leeds, besides London. It is a 60-day schedule. I couldn’t to be back in my favourite city.