Bollywood blockbuster filmed on campus

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A spectacular, time-travelling Bollywood movie is being filmed this month at The University of Nottingham with the historic buildings of University Park and the ultra-modern Jubilee campus as its backdrop.

The film is called Teri Meri Kahani and is being directed by the famous Indian director Kunal Kholi.

It’s the story of a couple who embark on a romantic journey of eternal love through different lives which start in contemporary London and Nottingham, go back in time to the Punjab of 1910 and forward to 1960s Bombay.

Bollywood superstars Priyanka Chopra and Shahid Kapoor play the lead roles, Krish and Radha, two young people who find themselves destined to be together no matter what the era, location or circumstances of their multiple and varied lives.

Filming has already taken place in India and in London and Stratford-upon-Avon. Currently the cast and crew are working at numerous locations around the University including large open-air dance sequences involving 100 dancers on the campus parkland, as well as interior scenes in lecture theatres, cafes, the Hallward library and halls of residence.

Shahid Kapoor plays Krish, a business student in his early 20s who works as a waiter to support his studies at the world-renowned Nottingham University Business School on the award-winning Jubilee campus. He bumps into Radha, played by Priyanka Chopra, just as he is on his mobile phone, being dumped by his girlfriend. The film shows a substantial slice of Nottingham life as the couple’s romance blossoms around the University and city centre, in scenes which even feature the famous medieval caves under Nottingham Castle.

Cyrus Patel, UK Line Producer for the project, said: “It’s been a wonderful opportunity to film at one of the most prestigious and picturesque universities in the UK. The staff have been brilliant to work with and have ensured our shoot has run smoothly from start to finish.

“The actors, directors, producers and crew have had a great experience filming here and I would recommend this as a very cinematic location for all future films coming to the UK.”

Chief Estates & Facilities Officer at The University of Nottingham, Chris Jagger, said:

"Helping a Bollywood cast and crew deliver a large scale movie like this has been something out of the ordinary, but also a very enjoyable and rewarding challenge for the University’s dedicated conference office team.

“They have done a tremendous job juggling the required filming logistics, people movements and updated daily schedules around both University Park and Jubilee Campus with the minimum of disruption or inconvenience to normal university campus activity.

“I am sure that everyone involved will be eagerly awaiting seeing the finished result.’’

Teri Meri Kahani will be released in India early next Spring, with a worldwide distribution of the film shortly afterwards.