Bombay is the hub of the entertainment industry. But thanks to the coronavirus pandemic, Bombay seems to have lost its attraction, at least temporarily. Chandigarh seems to have filled the slot left vacant by Bombay. This is because people are finding shooting in Chandigarh easier during the lockdown than shooting in the nerve centre of Bollywood. Unlike in Maharashtra in general and Bombay city in particular, coronavirus cases in Chandigarh are much fewer.
Believe it or not but five films are currently being shot in the city, district and union territory which serves as the capital of the two neighbouring states of Punjab and Haryana. The films being shot in Chandigarh are:
(i) Jersey: Starring Shahid Kapoor, Mrunal Thakur and Pankaj Kapur, it is directed by Gowtham Tinnanuri and is the remake of the Telugu film of the same name. Earlier too, the film was shot in Chandigarh, and the current schedule is the last shooting spell of the film. The story of the sports drama is based in Chandigarh. The film is being produced by Aman Gill, Dil Raju, S. Naga and Vamsi. Allu Arvind presents it.
(ii) Chandigarh Kare Aashiqui: Like in Jersey, Chandigarh is integral to this film too. Being directed by Abhishek Kapoor and produced by his wife (Pragya Kapoor) and Bhushan Kumar, the film stars Ayushmann Khurrana and Vaani Kapoor.
(iii) Dinesh Vijan’s untitled film: Starring Rajkumar Rao and Kriti Sanon, the film was launched a few days back in Chandigarh. It is about a couple adopting parents. It is being directed by Abhishek Jain and co-stars Paresh Rawal. Rao and Sanon will be seen together in this film after Bareilly Ki Barfi.
(iv) Jug Jugg Jeeyo: No, this one is not presented by Jio. Good Newwz director Raj Mehta is directing the film for Dharma Productions again. It stars Varun Dhawan, Kiara Advani and Anil Kapoor. Neetu (Singh) Kapoor will also be seen in a key role in the film being produced by Karan Johar. Prajakta Koli will make her Bollywood debut with Jug Jugg Jeeyo.
(v) Untitled Netflix film: This original film for Netflix is being produced by Ali Abbas Zafar. Set against the backdrop of the 1984 Punjab riots, it stars Diljit Dosanjh and is a human drama.