Explore Shilllong, says filmmaker Chinmoy Sarmah

Shillong, April 22 (IANS) Corporate honcho-turned-filmmaker Chinmoy Sarmah is making "Shillong" with Arfi Lamba, who acted in the Oscar-winning movie "Slumdog Millionaire". He says the aim is to tell Bollywood to explore the capital of Meghalaya instead of going to the West.

"We wanted to explore Shillong and that Bollywood should look towards this beautiful city (Shillong) rather than the West," Sarmah, who will direct the film, told IANS.

Sarmah will shoot the film in Shillong and plans to capture the landscapes of the one of the smallest cities in the country. He will also shoot in villages in Meghalaya such as Sohra, (previously known as Cherrapunjee) and Lad Rymbai in the Jaintia Hills district besides caves and waterfalls.

"'Explore India which is yet to be explored' is the motive behind naming the movie after Shillong. About 80 percent shooting will be take place in Shillong," said the director.

To be made at a budget of Rs.1.5 crore, "Shillong" will go on the floors in June. Sarmah, who is the creative director of Bombay Berlin Film Production, plans to wrap up the post-production of the movie before Diwali in November.

"The film would tell the story of a young boy who stays in mainland India with roots in Shillong. On learning of his roots, he undertakes the journey to Shillong to meet his parents. How he goes back to his roots, and his trials and tribulations in Shillong forms the rest of the plot," said Sarmah.

Arfi, who is a part of the film, said: "It's a dream come true to be in this part of the country."

"Shillong" is a joint production of the Bombay Berlin Film Production and the First Day First Show (FDFS) Motion Pictures headed by local entrepreneur Narupa Mylliempdah.