Old Delhi comes alive with Bollywood film Paranthe Wali Gali
It’s only the beginning of 2014 and in addition to the many big-ticket films being shot in the city, here’s one that has been filmed entirely in Old Delhi, reports Sahil Magoo.
Remember we told you about Delhi being Bollywood’s darling this year, with so many top actors shooting in the city this season? The coming few days will also see another movie that is perhaps the only one in recent times to have been shot entirely in Delhi. And, even if it does not boast of any oft-seen actors, the hero of the movie — Old Delhi — is an equal winner in itself.
Paranthe Wali Gali (PWG), a film directed by Sachin Gupta and starring actors Anuj Saxena and Neha Pawar, spans the whole of the city with special emphasis on the Walled City and its old-world charm. “Several filmmakers in the past have only shown India Gate in the name of ‘Delhi’. I feel that Delhi has much more than India Gate, and my film will focus on other aspects of the city. I picked Old Delhi because it’s a character on its own, and is visually rich. I wanted to keep the real flavour of the city alive, and filmed at actual locations rather than studios,” says Gupta, acclaimed for his theatrical productions.
The stills he shares with us show Purani Dilli in all its desi colour and culture, complete with joint terraces, pickle-making and the narrow bylanes. “Before shooting, we had done a recce and selected certain locations such as Kinari Bazaar, Nai Sarak, Khari Baoli and Chandni Chowk. The film aims to bring Delhi closer to people living outside the city,” adds Gupta. “My character is that of a self-assured, confident and fun-loving girl. She is like a ‘teekha parantha’,” says debutant Pawar, explaining the title.
Tourism authorities, on their part, are happy that it’s not just the big production houses, but also small-budget filmmakers who’re exploring Delhi. “Delhi is the perfect mix of rich cultural heritage and modern infrastructure. Movies are the best way to showcase the beauty and heritage of any place, example Spain and Switzerland,” says Sudhir Sobti, Delhi Tourism, government of Delhi.
Also filmed in Delhi recently
Boxer Vijender Singh recently shot here for his debut film, Fugly. Some of the locations featured in the Akshay Kumar production are Tughlaqabad Fort and Sultanpuri. Director Kabir Sadanand says, “Things have changed a lot in Delhi — people party a lot, on terraces, in clubs and across. That’s what I wish to depict.”
* Youngistaan, starring actors Neha Sharma and Jackky Bhagnani, was recently filmed in Gurgaon and Delhi University
* Actors Parineeti Chopra, Ranveer Singh and Ali Zafar will be seen around Rajouri Garden and Noida, shooting sequences for * Aditya Chopra’s Kill Dil.
* Sunny Deol and Jacqueline Fernandez are shooting for their untitled films this month.
* YRF’s Bewakoofian, and P.K., starring Aamir Khan, are the other big-ticket films shot here.
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