Darjeeling to host first-ever Telugu movie shoot

MP |8 April 2017 | Darjeeling: Immortalised in a timeless classic, Rajesh Khanna driving a Jeep alongside the Toy Train, serenading the dusky beauty Sharmila Tagore with the lines Mere sapno ki rani kab aayegi tu, the Queen of the Hills since long has been a favoured shooting destination for Bollywood and Tollywood films. However, this is for the first time this picturesque hill town is going to play host to a Telugu movie as a shooting locale.

Raja the Great a Telugu film starring Ravi Teja will be shot in Darjeeling from next week. A song including some important sequences will be shot here. Shooting of the film has already commenced in Hyderabad.

"The shooting is scheduled to start from April 11 and will continue for 10 days in Darjeeling. It will be shot mainly at the Chowrasta (popular as the Mall)," stated a source.

Raja The Great is written and directed by Anil Ravipudi and produced by Dil Raju under the banner Sri Venkateswara Creations. Sources claim that the movie has an interesting story line – a first in Telugu industry.

Mehreen Prizada of the Phillauri fame is starring opposite Teja. However, Ravi Teja's performance is the major highlight of the movie.

Teja is known for his acting versatility and is one of the highest paid in the Telugu film industry. This is for the first time he is playing the role of a visually-challenged person. Sources state that the film will be fun-filled with a few stunts performed by Teja himself.

The makers of Raja The Great have released its first look poster, in which Teja is seen dressed in black, sporting black shades and carrying a backpack. In his hand is a white cane. The catch line states "Welcome to my world."

"I am eagerly waiting for the shoot. We get to watch a lot of dubbed South Indian films on TV these days. They are entertaining as well as action packed. I have 

watched Ravi Teja's  Bengal Tiger," stated Aniket Rai, a film buff.

Darjeeling is steadily becoming a favoured destination for tourists from South India too. "Such film shoots will further increase the popularity of Darjeeling and in turn boost tourism," stated Pradeep Lama, Secretary, Darjeeling Association of Travel Agents.