Bollywood in Pithoragarh for ‘Sandeep & Pinki Farar’

Neena Sharma 

Tribune News Service 

Dehradun, December 4

For the first time, the rugged border town of Pithoragarh has caught the fancy of a film crew from Mumbai  which is busy  shooting a Hindi film, “Sandeep Aur Pinki Farar” with actor Arjun Kapoor in the main lead.

A reputation for eyeing the best locales in India and abroad, the Yash Raj banner, under whose banner the film is being shot, seems to have fallen for this rugged mountainous place in the Kumaon region.   

Though, in the past, several films have been shot in Ramnagar, Mussoorie and Nainital, this is the first time Pithoragarh has been selected by Yash Raj films. 

“There is a general desire to look for newer  and exotic locales among Hindi film makers,  years ago Jammu and Kashmir was the favourite among film makers, but that came to a stop with the start of insurgency. Both Uttarakhand and Himachal Pradesh have benefited from what can be said as J and K’s loss,” said Madan Mohan Duklain, a film actor and writer.

The film directed by Diwakar Banerjee also stars Parineeti alongside Arjun Kapoor and the film crew is likely to remain in Pithoragarh for a month.   

With breath-taking scenic spots at Munsiyari, Berinaag and Chokodi, Pithoragarh can be an ideal choice for producers looking for novelty and the effort can spur interest among tourists. “So far, Pithoragarh has remained   hidden due to its remoteness, but I am hopeful  Yash Raj’s film, once complete, will change this perception,” said   Raju Devlal, secretary of the Hotel Owners Association.   

Nevertheless, the presence of Arjun Kapoor has managed to create an exciting buzz among the people of Pithoragarh, who are waiting for the arrival of Parineeti and other members of the film.