Bengali movie shooting brings attention to Singarhi Hills in Dumka

Dumka: Singarhi Hills, situated near Murjoda village in Raneshwar block of Dumka district in Jharkhand, is grabbing a lot of limelight these days as a Bengali movie is being filmed. The project is the second film to be shot in the locality.

Earlier, a few scenes of the famous Bollywood movie "Begum Jaan" were filmed here.A vintage railway station has been built on a stretch of this rural landscape, complete with a platform, railway tracks, and other features. "The set looks so real that visitors often mistake it for an actual heritage site," Gautam Chatterjee, a local resident, said. He added that the film's shooting was a moment of pride as it showcases Dumka not merely as a Jharkhand district rich in minerals but also as having immense potential for creative works.Popular Bengali film actor Anirban Bhattacharya and actress Subhashree Ganguly are part of the movie that is being filmed. Director Kaushik Ganguly shares that the story unfolds around a small-town railway station and the passengers waiting at the station. “We were searching for a location that carries both simplicity and scenic beauty,” he said, adding, “Singarhi Hills offered exactly what I imagined.”He further said that the film title “Waiting Room” reflects the theme of human anticipation and portrays lives during the waiting period between journeys.

Crowds from nearby villages gather near the set regularly to witness the movie’s filming. People have been visiting the place ever since the construction of the set began. The film is being shot for just over a fortnight.“This is the second time such a big unit has visited our area,” said Ashok Murmu, former JMM district president and a local resident. Everyone, from children to the elderly, comes to watch the shooting, especially because some local youths are also working with the crew, Murmu said.

“For young villagers, the experience is thrilling. We’ve only seen grand sets in movies. Now we have seen one built right at our village and witnessed how films are made.

It is good as it has also given us the opportunity to earn a little money at the same time," Murmu, who also operates a motorboat service at Masanjor Dam for visitors, said.Back in 2017, filmmaker Srijit Mukherji shot portions of the Hindi film “Begum Jaan” featuring Vidya Balan and Naseeruddin Shah in the nearby Nandana Hills.

Behind the growing popularity of Jharkhand as a shooting destination lies a progressive film policy that aims to make the state a film-friendly destination with the provision of reimbursement on select expenditures along with tax exemptions and fee waivers.In all praise for the state’s support, Director Ganguly said, “Outside Kolkata and Mumbai, we haven’t found authentic locations like Jharkhand where the costs are lower, the weather is pleasant, and the local administration is cooperative."