When Bollywood film stars fall in love with Kolkata

Kolkata is buzzing with news of a 70-plus Bollywood actor who has been seen on Howrah Bridge riding a scooter. He had earlier been seen in the lobbies of Writer’s Building and even in front of the red building riding the two wheeler. He had earlier ridden a bicycle in another film. And – who knows, he could now take on a rickshaw in a future film.
The hero of City of Joy, a 1992 movie directed by Roland Joffe, had in fact, driven a rickshaw. He was a rickshaw puller.

Kolkata has always been an attractive locale for films and the trend had probably been set by the movie City of Joy of the 1970s. It is natural for Bengali films to be filmed in the city but, when it comes to Bollywood movies that have a greater appeal in the national market, it means Kolkata has plenty of variety to offer.
Movies based on stories of Rabindra Nath Tagore and Sarat Chandra Chattopadhaya have always held a special place in the hearts of people and when the actors get down to business donning period dresses, the outcome makes producers happy.
Most of these stories are love stories with boats sailing lazily in the waters and the songs touch and move your heart. And then there is the most important festival of Bengalis –the Durga Puja. Movies that have this festival interwoven in the plot makes it a sure shot box office hit.
Most of the Hindi movies shot in Kolkata have proved to be hits – and, several new faces have emerged in the movie world where non- Bengalis have proved their worth and have stolen the thunder from the Bengalis.

(Image courtesy wikimediacommons.org)

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