Right from its grand, heritage headquarters in Churchgate to its clean, scenic stations, Western Railways (WR) is full of potential shoot locations that are convenient and best suited options for filmmakers.
In this financial year, Western Railway (WR) has earned over INR 1.64 crore by offering its various premises and rail coaches for film shootings. In the last financial year 2021-22, WR earned INR 67 lakh, while in the year 2019-20 it was one crore and during 2018–19, it was more than INR 1.31 crore. While there was an understandable dip in 2020-2021 due to the pandemic, the surge of film and commercials shot in 2022 indicates that the railways will never lose its charm.
According to a press release issued by Sumit Thakur, Chief Public Relations Officer of Western Railway, during the financial year 2022-23 more than 20 film shootings were held at different locations across Western Railway, which included feature films, web series, TV commercial advertisements, documentary films of social awareness, TV serials, etc.
Over the years, WR has been part of several iconic and blockbuster movies like Lunch Box, Hero Panti 2, Gabbar is Back, Airlift, Padman, Ra.One, Phantom, Ek Villain Returns, Yeh Jawani He Deewani, Radhe, Laxmi Bomb Kai Poche, Atma, Ghayal Return, Kaminey, Heropanti, Holiday, Thupaki (Tamil movie), D-Day, Shershah, Bell Bottom, OMG 2 including Gujarati Films Kutchh Express and Locha Lapsi, Marathi film Aapdi Thapdi. Many Web series such as X-Ray, Abhay 2, Breath into the Shadows, Dongri to Dubai, etc. and KBC promo were also shot in WR locations.
Some of the locations that are now etched in the minds of cinema lovers are Mumbai Central Terminus station, Churchgate Headquarter and station building, Sabarmati Sports Ground, Goregaon station, Jogeshwari AT (Yard), Lower Parel Workshop, Kandivali & Virar Carsheds, Kelve Road, Pardi Rly station, Kalakund Rly station, Patalpaani Rly station, the running train between Mumbai Central and Valsad, and the EMU train shoot at Goregaon.
Mumbai Central Station provides a wide array of facilities conducive to film shootings. This station with long platforms catering to Mail / Express trains is a perfect location to shoot scenes pertaining to train travel. This station has the added advantage of shooting during Night hours. It also has adequate parking facility for parking of all Shooting Vehicles. The shooting of many popular films like Body Guard, Phata Poster Nikla Hero, once upon a time in Mumbai , Jazba, Yeh Jawaani Hai Deewani, Holiday, Tamil Film ’Thupaki’ and several ad films have been shot at Mumbai Central station.
Western Railway’s Goregaon station has the facility to shoot with local trains as well as with Mail Express train. The long platform at this station is advantageous to create the set as per the need & demand of the scene. This station also enables shoot during Night hours giving much flexibility of timings.
Jogeshwari Yard (AT) is also a convenient location for film shooting. The main USP of this location is the possibility to shoot with Goods train along with Mail/ Express trains.
Another popular location over WR is the administrative building above Churchgate station. Films like Airlift, Gabbar is Back, Phantom, Lunchbox, D-Day, etc. were shot here. This location provides with a readymade set of a government office set-up.
Sumit Thakur, Chief Public Relations Officer Western Railway stated that the initiative to grant permission to the production houses without any hassles has enabled Western Railway to earn record revenue from film shoots. A single window system has been introduced. This process simplification has enabled film and TV companies to obtain permission after submission of the necessary documents as per Public Relations Manual.
Thus Western Railway is an extremely popular movie destination for various film industries, Television serials, Ads and OTT platforms too. With the easing of film-shooting permissions, Western Railway has emerged as one of the favourites among those who weave celluloid dreams.
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