In the ongoing fiscal, the Central Railway (CR) has earned the highest-ever revenue of more than Rs 2.48 crore by offering its various premises and special trains for film shootings.
It was in the year 2013-14, when the CR had set the record of highest-ever revenue—which now stands broken--by earning Rs 1.73 crore from business with the tinsel town.
The setting of the new record becomes more striking, given the fact that the railway managed to generate the whopping money amid Covid-19 curbs.
So far, 10 films, including six feature films, two web series, a short film and an advertisement, have been shot at the CR's premises. Of these, four movies were shot at the Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Terminus, which continues to be the most preferred railway location among the film makers.
While, the CR earned the highest revenue of Rs 1.27 crore from the feature film ‘2 Brides’ shot at the Yeola, Kanhegaon stations and on shooting special train for 18 days. Another feature filmed for nine days at the Adarki station with a special train fetched Rs 65.95 lakh.
Elated over the good business amid the pandemic, a CR senior officer stated, “Despite stringent Covid-19 restrictions during last financial year 2020-21, the revenue earned was Rs. 41.16 lakh.”
Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Terminus continues to be the most preferred film shooting location for film makers, 4 films were shot at this.
Apart from this UNESCO World Heritage railway station, the other famous shooting locations were the old Wadi Bunder yard, Adarki railway station near Satara, Yeola, Kanhegaon stations between Manmad and Ahmednagar, Dadar, Mulund RPF ground and scenic Matheran station.
CR General Manager Anil Kumar Lahoti, said, "Thanks to the initiatives to grant permission without any hassles to the production houses enabled CR to earn record revenue from film shoots.”
While, CR chief PRO Shivaji Sutar pointed out that many hit films like Dilwale Dulaniya Le Jayenge, Kuch Kuch Hota Hai, Slum Dog Millionaire, Rang de Basanti among others were filmed at the CR.
To get the permission for film shooting, one has to approach the CR public relations department. In a bid to further facilitate the process, the railway has introduced a single window system to expedite the granting of permissions.
