Farhan enjoys a ride in 'Lucknow Central'

Bollywood producer-director-actor Fahan Akhtar was seen riding a scooter with his on-screen friend in Lalbagh on the intervening night of Saturday and Sunday. The actor was driving an old Bajaj scooter UP32-Y-3622 with Sahajahanpur-lad Alok as pillion rider for Ranjit Tiwari’s directorial debut Lucknow Central.

With the night-shoot, the team wrapped-up the shoot for Lucknow-leg and next they will shoot partially in Varanasi and then in Mumbai where a massive set of jail has been set up in Film City. Farhan was sporting a black jacket teamed with a mustard t-shirt and trouser. Riding the scooter, he stops besides a car that had broken down opposite Bhopal House and drives after some cracking some jokes.

Farhan’s co-actor Diana Penty and Airlift-fame Inaamulhaq have also shot during the Lucknow schedule in the last few days. Producer Nikhil Advani had also been in the city for many days. The film is said to be based on jail inmates who form a band.

Talking to HT City director Ranjit Tiwari says, “On a personal note I don’t have any connection with the city but film’s central theme has brought us to the city. The story, which I can’t talk about at this moment, is based in Lucknow which is its soul. I have stayed and researched here for the film and it was very important to shoot here to capture the soul of the city in real locations.” He has been associate director for several films including Hero, D-Day and Katti Batti.

On the sets that they have built in Mumbai he says, “There is rule, which does not allow us to shoot inside a jail so the production team decided to erect one. We chose to do it in Mumbai as it’s easy to shoot there and saves extra budget of shooting in an outside location (Lucknow).” The film falls in the drama genre.

The team has shot on the roof of Chota Imambara, Centenniel College, Jahangirabad Palace, Malihabad, Roomi Gate, Kaiserbagh, Residency and Lalbagh besides other localities informed line-producer Aroon Singh Dicky.

Film’s executive producer Hemraj Dogra tells that the team initially had some apprehension with the change of state government but it turned out to be a smooth ride. “We faced no problem at all and everyone co-operated a lot. The public has been very supportive. They do flock to watch the shoot but are very nice and obedient. We are very happy on this front,” he says.

Fan moment

Farhan obliged his fans and crew members for a photo-op on the last day of shoot. Just before the final shot he asked his staff to call kids watching him sitting in his SUV and interacted with them. He also posed with team members and some fans at the Novelty (2 am) roundabout where they had been patiently waiting for a long time to meet him before leaving the spot.

Read more: ‘Anarkali’ Swara’s kismet connection with Lucknow!