The makers of Lootera have managed to achieve what no other film crew has in over 15 years. They are shooting for the film in the Purulia district of West Bengal, famous for the much-investigated arms dropping case in 1995. Since that incident occurred, no film crew has been allowed in the area or its vicinity, but director Vikramaditya Motwane and his crew managed to convince authorities for the same.
Confirms producer Vikas Bahl, "The local authorities were apprehensive in the beginning as they didn't want the place to get undue attention again. But the production team assured them that they will shoot without any chaos and will make sure that everything goes smoothly."
The location was more than apt for the film because it is set in the 1950s and the setting needed to depict old-world charm. The district is surrounded by mountains and lakes and it's a perfect setting. Says a source, "Purulia was one of the last options because everyone thought it would be next to impossible to secure permission for the place.
However the production team was very organised and knew what they exactly wanted. It took over a week to convince local authorities for permission, but they eventually agreed."
The source adds, "Ranveer was skeptical about moving locations and he personally insisted on inspecting the place, so as to it being safe for the rest of them."
More on the Purulia case...
A Latvian aircraft dropped a large consignment of arms including several hundred AK-47 rifles and more than a million rounds of ammunition over villages in the Purulia district on December 17, 1995. Several days later, when the plane re-entered the Indian airspace, it was intercepted by the Indian Air Force and forced to land in Mumbai.