Anurag Kashyap and the lead actors of Bombay Velvet, which is shot in Sri Lanka, will host a special screening for the country's leader and his family

Mumbai of the 1950s and '60s was painstakingly recreated in Sri Lanka for the shoot of Anurag Kashyap's next, Bombay Velvet. The film, which is based on author Gyan Prakash's book, Mumbai Fables, chronicles the story of how the city became a metropolis.The film-maker took everyone by surprise when he announced his decision to shoot in Sri Lanka. The film-maker explained that building sets in Mumbai would have proved to be a lot more expensive.

The neighbouring country played gracious host, allotting a four-acre plot of land for the duration of the shoot. Now, as a thank-you gesture, Anurag and his team are preparing to host a screening of the film in Sri Lanka. `The event will be attended by President Mahinda Rajapaksa, among others. It will be held in November, a few days prior to the official release,` says a source close to the production.

The shooting of the film took place at Ranminithenna Mahinda Rajapaksa National Tele Cinema Park, which was made in 2010 under the regime of President Rajapaksa to promote the local film industry. Bombay Velvet is the first foreign film to be shot there. The source adds, `In fact, even after shooting was wrapped up, park authorities requested that the makers let the set remain intact so it could be used as a tourist attraction.`

The screening will be followed by a press conference, which will be attended by Ranbir Kapoor, Anushka Sharma and Anurag.