Film shootings on trains, railway stations generate over Rs 6 crore revenue in three years; here are top locations

Indian Railways continues to attract filmmakers and advertisers with Western Railway and Central Railway together generating more than Rs 6 crore in revenue from film and commercial shoots over the last three yearsAn official statement said that the iconic railway stations heritage buildings scenic landscapes and operational train locations have become highly popular among Bollywood filmmakers web series creators and advertising agenciesWestern Railway revenue doublesWestern Railway recorded a sharp rise in earnings from film shootings and advertisements the statement saidAccording to the data the revenue from film shootings on Western Railway was In 202324 Rs 6347 lakh In 202425 Rs 137 crore In 202526 Rs 201 croreThe total revenue earned during the threeyear period stood at Rs 402 crore it saidThe officials said the increase reflects growing demand for authentic railway locations in films advertisements and digital productionsVande Bharat train used for shootOne of the most notable shoots on Western Railway was a Reliance FMCG advertisement filmed inside the Vande Bharat train at Mumbai Central station mdash reportedly the first such shoot on Indian RailwaysOther major productions shot at Western Railway locations include Sikandar at Mumbai Central station and Mail Express train Tera Yaar Hoon Main at Bandra Terminus Fateh at Lower Parel Workshop O Romeo at Jogeshwari Colgate advertisement at Churchgate station and local trains Lizol advertisement at Bandra Terminus and local trainsCentral Railway remains favourite for BollywoodCentral Railway has also remained one of the countryrsquos most preferred filming locations an another statement saidOver the last three years Central Railway earned around Rs 229 crore from nearly 30 film and web series shootsCentral Railway Revenue FY 202324 Rs 9445 lakh FY 202425 Rs 4013 lakh FY 202526 Rs 9462 lakhCSMT continues to attract big productionsThe heritage Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Terminus CSMT station remains one of the most popular shooting destinations in IndiaSeveral major productions have been filmed there including Slumdog Millionaire ldquoJai Hordquo song Rab Ne Bana Di Jodi Chennai Express The Lunch Box Darr StonemanTelevision commercials for IPL and Sunfeast were also filmed at the stationRecalling previous shoots officials stated that Bollywood actor Amitabh Bachchan also shot scenes at the heritage building for Central Railwayrsquos inhouse production Ek Safar Rail Ke SaathApta station becomes Bollywood favouriteAmong suburban railway locations Apta Railway Station on the PanvelRoha route has emerged as one of Bollywoodrsquos favourite shooting destinations after CSMTLocated amid the Sahyadri hills the station is known for its oldworld charm greenery and rustic atmosphereThe station has featured in several hit films including Dilwale Dulhania Le Jayenge Rang De Basanti Khakee Bunty Aur Babli PK Baaghi Shaadi No 1Over three years shoots at Apta station alone generated Rs 8555 lakh accounting for more than 37 per cent of Central Railwayrsquos total filming revenueScenic railway locations in high demandOther popular Central Railway locations includePanvel Chouk Neral Matheran Lonavala Khandala Wathar Satara and Chandrapur in MaharashtraOfficials said these places are especially attractive due to their scenic beauty heritage appeal and rural railway settingsFilms such as Jab We Met Robot Raavan Dabangg Sacred Games and Laapataa Ladies have also been shot at various Central Railway stations and railway premisesSinglewindow permission system for shootsCentral Railway officials said a dedicated Public Relations cell handles film shooting applications through a streamlined singlewindow permission systemPermissions are granted after ensuring safety compliance payment of charges and operational feasibility