zeroes in on rock capital

Umiam lake

Shillong, Feb. 20: The rock capital of India could be rocking with Rock On 2 if the Meghalaya capital is finally preferred as the location for the musical.

Those behind the making of Rock On 2, a sequel to Rock On!!, landed here today as a part of the exercise to scout for a location for the Bollywood film.

Shillong has often been hailed as the rock capital of India. It is home to musical bands of various genres while having had the privilege of hosting numerous live concerts performed by the who’s who of music. UK-based Smokie was the latest big-ticket band to have performed at Polo grounds here in December last year.

Last night, film producer Ritesh Sidhwani tweeted, “Tom morning location scout for #RockOn2 begins.. Can u guess which state & city? (sic)”. Sidhwani had co-produced Rock On with actor Farhan Akhtar in 2008.

This was followed by another tweet, “I’ve got Banglore Delhi Goa Shimla till now as the possible location for #Rockon2. Sab Galat hai. Come on try harder (sic),” before tweeting “Shillong it is” this morning.

Besides Akhtar, Rock On 2 is likely to star Prachi Desai, Shraddha Kapoor and Arjun Rampal. Prachi and Farhan’s acting careers were launched with Rock On.

While the temperature dipped significantly in the afternoon when rain pounded the city, director Shujaat Saudagar tweeted a view of the Umiam lake, along National Highway 40 on the Guwahati-Shillong road. “I love not man the less, but nature more!” (sic)

However, Shillong still has a long way to go in putting in place the necessary infrastructure required for filmmaking. This has been the prime reason that deterred filmmakers from making films here.

Local filmmakers have always asked the state government to set up infrastructure which would not only aid them but also attract filmmakers from outside, including the Bollywood fraternity.

Speaking to The Telegraph over phone, Sidhwani, who came along with Saudagar here, asserted that Shillong was “the apt place” as the upcoming film would be based on rock music. “The place fits into the sequel very well. It has a strong emotional connect with the film although I cannot reveal the script yet. I feel this place has not been exploited by filmmakers yet,” he said.

While not confirming whether Shillong had been finalised as the film’s location, Sidhwani said it would be “the first choice” despite logistical hurdles.

“If you ask me, I would always say Shillong would be the first choice. We are actively working on our plans, and trying to sort various logistical issues. Hopefully, after us, many more would come here and make their films,” he said.

In a tweet posted this evening, Sidhwani shared a view from “my cottage at Ri Kynjai resort”, “Wish I could wake up to this view every morning”. This was followed by another tweet: “I’m so glad #RockOn2 scout brings me to the North East. I’ve always wanted to come here but couldn’t make it. gorgeous beautiful & serene (sic).”

via NorthEast Calling http://ift.tt/1JwVZwh