JOIN USFilm-makers go loco over railway shed
The Rewari Steam Locomotive Shed, which was resurrected over the last few years by the Northern Railways, has turned into a favourite for film-makers.
The over 100-year-old heritage structure has proved to be an ideal location for upcoming movies like Bhaag Milkha Bhaag and the Shahrukh Khan-starrer Chennai Express.
The Bhaag Milkha Bhaag crew wound up filming on the premises on Wednesday. The movie about the iconic athlete, starring Farhan Akhtar and Sonam Kapoor, was shot in the Rewari loco shed and the Farrukhnagar railway station in Rewari between October 8 and October 31. Some of the sequences on Milkha Singh’s childhood were shot in the railway colony in the neighbourhood of Rewari station, railway officials said.
According to Northern Railways officials, Rewari loco shed — being the only surviving steam loco shed in India and housing some of the last remaining steam locomotives of the country — attracts a lot of filmmakers.
“It has much on offer for the present generation which has not witnessed the glorious steam era. With a rural background, the loco shed provides a perfect setting for movies on the bygone era. The producers of Bhaag Milkha Bhaag had requested for a special train for two days, which was provided to them,” said Northern Railways CPRO, Neeraj Sharma.
Officials say filmmaker Rohit Shetty also approached them for permission to shoot his next film Chennai Express at the Rewari loco shed. The shooting of the Shahrukh Khan-Deepika Padukone movie is likely to begin in December.
The loco shed is generating revenue, besides promoting heritage through movies. Sources said the railways is earning nearly Rs 4 lakh a day for providing a four-coach train and a steam engine for shooting purposes.
Apart from the Rewari shed, some other properties of the railways are also in demand. Rajkumar Hirani of Munnabhai and 3 Idiots fame has sought permission for shooting his next film P.K. starring Aamir Khan at Safdarjung railway station in the Capital, officials said.