Gurugram topmost place for shooting films, says CM Khattar
Haryana Chief Minister Manohar Lal Khattar visited the Museo Camera in Gurugram, a museum dedicated to photography, and praised its contribution to preserving the state's art and culture. The museum, which has received international acclaim, showcases over 2,000 antique cameras and other photography-related artefacts. Khattar also highlighted Gurugram's emergence as a hub for film shooting and art exhibitions.
Gurugram:Chief minister Manohar Lal Khattar visited the Museo Camera in DLF Phase 4, a museum dedicated to photography and camera enthusiasts, on Saturday.
Gurugram topmost place for shooting films, says CM Khattar
Speaking on the occasion of World Photography Day, Khattar said Gurugram has emerged as a topmost place for shooting films and documentaries in recent years.
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Incidentally, the museum was praised by Prime Minister Narendra Modi in his ‘Mann Ki Baat’ episode in May this year.
“We have preserved the state’s rich art and culture in this museum. Gurugram is becoming a hub not only for international-level art exhibitions but also for Bollywood films,” he said.
Khattar also acknowledged the significant role of photography in capturing moments that transcend time and emphasised on the profound impact of pictures.
The Gurugram Metropolitan Development Authority (GMDA) had partnered with the private sector to establish the museum that has garnered international acclaim.
“The Museo Camera museum goes beyond photography, presenting insights into India’s political, cultural, and social history. It serves as a destination not only for photography enthusiasts from India and around the world but also for Bollywood filmmakers and artistes. The evolution of photography, from its inception by Joseph Nicéphore Niépce of France in the 18th Century to its modern-day scientific form, is showcased at the museum, underscoring its enduring significance,” said Khattar.
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Khattar also presented a speed-graphic Graflex camera to Aditya Arya, the founder and director of Museo Camera.
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Khattar also presented a speed-graphic Graflex camera to Aditya Arya, the founder and director of Museo Camera.
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Over 2,000 antique cameras and other allied gadgets dating back to the 19th Century and collected from over 100 countries have been on display in the museum, along with historical archives, works of legends as well as contemporary lens-based art.
Leena Dhankhar is Senior Editor and Bureau Chief, Gurugram, at Hindustan Times, where she has spent over 17 years chronicling the transformation of one of India's fastest-growing urban regions. From starting her career as a crime reporter to leading the Gurugram bureau, her journalism has been defined by investigative reporting, in-depth storytelling and an unwavering focus on public interest.
Over nearly two decades, she has reported extensively across crime, politics, civic governance, elections, real estate, environment, courts, sports, education and entertainment, covering Gurugram, Faridabad, Nuh and Palwal. Her reporting has exposed several major scams and systemic failures, including insurance frauds, waste management irregularities, illegal arms manufacturing units in Nuh, illegal mining in the Aravallis, organised crime networks and governance lapses affecting millions of residents.
Known for her investigative work and exclusive stories, Leena has reported on high-impact national issues, including the Nicaragua charter flight carrying Indian migrants that was turned back amid allegations of human trafficking, exposing the growing network of illegal immigration rackets. Her work has also focused on gang wars, prison administration, juvenile crime, women and child protection systems, the functioning of the Juvenile Justice Board and Child Welfare Committee, and environmental challenges such as pollution, waterlogging and deteriorating civic infrastructure.
Beyond hard news, Leena has extensively documented Haryana's rich heritage, forests and wildlife, bringing attention to the state's historical landmarks, biodiversity, conservation efforts and ecological challenges through immersive reportage and feature writing.
Her journalism has consistently gone beyond breaking news. She has documented Gurugram's rapid urbanisation through long-form narratives and enterprise reporting on issues ranging from pothole-ridden roads, flooding and waste management to the changing social fabric of India's Millennium City. She also writes widely read feature columns, including The Outsider, Changemaker, and Concern for Gurugram, profiling people, places and ideas shaping the city's identity.
Leena is the author of Gurugram School Murder, published by Juggernaut Books, a deeply reported account of one of India's most high-profile school murder investigations. She is currently working on her second book, an investigative work exploring some of India's most significant scams and fraud investigations.
Beyond print journalism, she has expanded her storytelling through public speaking and digital media. She is a TEDx speaker and has produced podcasts exploring Gurugram's transformation, civic challenges and untold stories. Her work reflects a commitment to narrative journalism that combines rigorous reporting with compelling storytelling.
A law graduate with an MBA in Human Resources, Leena brings a multidisciplinary perspective to her reporting, particularly on governance, public policy and legal affairs. She has travelled extensively across India to pursue investigative assignments, often reporting from remote locations and conflict-prone areas in search of stories that matter.
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