Meet the original band on which Farhan Akhtar's 'Lucknow Central' is based!

Farhan Akhtar's next release Lucknow Central is based on a true story of a band formed by the inmates of Lucknow Central jail. The band named 'Healing Hearts' was formed in the Adarsh Jail wing of Lucknow Central jail. Consisting of 12 men who are sentenced to life imprisonment, the band plays hit Bollywood numbers at various private functions including weddings and baraats.

The band was the brainchild of VK Jain, the senior superintendent of Lucknow Central Jail, as a part of qaidi reforms in 2007. Just like the film, a contest was held in the jail for which funds were released. 

With the arrangement of fifteen instruments, few volunteers came forward for the initiative. An inmate who hailed from a musically inclined family provided leadership due to which the band won the contest. The win further opened doors to opportunities for the band to perform at private parties.

On their visit to Lucknow recently, the cast of Lucknow Central visited the band which served as an inspiration for the film. Lucknow Central exhibits the tale of a group of inmates that form a music band in order to escape the jail. The film thrives on ambition, passion, friendship, and determination.

The ensemble cast of Farhan Akhtar, Gippy Grewal, Ronit Roy, Deepak Dobriyal, Diana Penty, Rajesh Sharma and Inaam-ul-Haq has piqued the interest of the audience. Lucknow Central also has Ravi Kishan and Manoj Tiwari making special appearances in the film.

The film is directed by Ranjit Tiwari and is slated to release on September 15, 2017.