ON THE SETS: Ali Fazal and South actress Shraddha Srinath kick off Milan Talkies in Lucknow

After much delay, one of the most ambitious films of Tigmanshu Dhulia, Milan Talkies has finally seen the light of the day. The film, which has been in the pipeline for a couple of years, found its leading man in Ali Fazal. On the other hand, it marks the Bollywood debut of South actress Shraddha Srinath. Now, the film has gone on floor in Lucknow.

ON THE SETS: Ali Fazal and South actress Shraddha Srinath kick off Milan Talkies in Lucknow

It is definitely good news for Tigmanshu Dhulia who has been wanting to make Milan Talkies for quite some years now. The super-excited filmmaker also spoke about his project to the media. He said, “I was inspired by this film Cinema Paradiso [1988]. Although this film has nothing to do with cinema, but it is just the atmosphere and innocence of that film that resonates with this one too.”

He went on to describe Milan Talkies as a sweet small-town love story. “But the conflict is very unique and the way it ends that is unique too,” added Dhulia. The film is set during the 2010 to 2013 time period. The reason, according to Tigmanshu, was because he did not want to miss out on the time when film reels were still being used in the theatres. He mentioned that ‘this part is very relevant to the story.’

On the other hand, it is the first time when Ali Fazal will be seen in full-fledged love story with Shraddha Srinath. It is a completely new fresh pairing and also another interesting fact is that they met on the sets of this film for the first time. Speaking on their ice-breaking moment, Shraddha said, “Even though he didn’t have any scenes in the first day of the shoot, he had arrived on the sets. He had got some yummy homemade kebabs made by his mother. He had distributed it to everyone but didn’t offer me. That’s when I went up to him and said this is not right. I think that was the ice-breaking moment.” Ali, however, quickly quipped that his kebabs were over by the time he approached his leading lady.

Although Milan Talkies is set in Allahabad, it is currently being shot in Mathura and then later a major schedule is being planned in Mathura. The film is expected to release by the end of this year.