CST sees first celluloid crew descend after 26/11

Post 26/11, Chhatrapati Shivaji Terminus, one of the popular locations in Bollywood movies, was abandoned by film producers. But filmmakers are now returning to the historical landmark to shoot scenes for their movies.

Atithi Tum Kab Jaaoge, a joint venture between Hollywood’s Warner Bros Pictures and India’s Wide Frame Films, starring Ajay Devgan, Konkona Sen Sharma and Paresh Rawal, has become the first Bollywood movie to be shot at the CST a year after the tragedy.

Scheduled to release on February 26, 2010, the film is a laugh riot directed by Ashwni Dhir which revolves around a middle class couple coping with a visiting relative who has outstayed his welcome and the various methods through which they try to get rid of him.

A source present on the film set said: “After the 26/11 tragedy, which left many in grief, CST has never been the same. But things have started getting back to normal. A particular scene in the movie that revolves around Ajay Devgan, Konkona and Paresh Rawal needed to be shot at CST and people were proposing they should shoot at a studio as post the terror attack, even though it has been a year, everyone is a little cautious. But the filmmakers put their foot down as they wanted to lend an authentic look to their movie and went ahead to shoot at the CST as opposed to a studio.”

Dhir told DNA: “It was a very proud moment for us all to bring back Bollywood to CST.

The location has seen many iconic movies being shot there and we couldn’t let terror make us stay away from one of the industry’s dearest filming locations. We had a great time shooting there.”