The hills of Darjeeling and Kurseong are all set to witness shooting of a star-studded big budget south Indian film led by iconic superstar Rajnikanth. It is learnt that the veteran actor will reach Darjeeling very soon to shoot for his movie, mainly in two educational institutions in the Hills- -Mount Hermon School in Darjeeling town and Central Academy of Forest Education in Kurseong, which is popularly known as Rangers College (SNS photo).

The movie’s crew is already engaged in preparing the sets at the venues, including at the Rangers College at St Mary’s Hill in Kurseong. “The production unit of Sun TV Network Pvt Ltd, Chennai, has acquired permission from the Ministry of Environment, Forests & Climate Change to shoot the film on the premises of Rangers College through 7-14 July,” Principal of the Central Academy of Forest Education (under the Ministry of Environment, Forests & Climate Change), Kurseong, Dr Wangdup Bhutia, said. Preparations began from 30 May and crew members of the film including carpenters and painters are working on full swing under the direction of the film’s art director, sources said.

According to Mr Bhutia, he is not aware of which actors or actresses will be arriving here, “but the letter sent by Sun TV Network Pvt Ltd mentions Ranjnikant.”

“As far as I know, this is the first time that such a big budget movie is being shot in Kurseong, and as such, it is a pride for Kurseong and the Eastern Forest Rangers College. We hope the film will achieve success,” he said.

According to Mr Bhutia, rangers from different places in India, and also from Nepal and Sri Lanka, used to undergo training at the institute in Kurseong once upon a time. The institution was closed for several years due to different reasons.

He said that he joined the college in 2016 on deputation, and that the college presently imparts training to forest officials for three days, seven days or two weeks.

He said that keeping in mind the main motto of the institution, they have already informed the film troupe that shooting will be not allowed when training classes at the institution are going on.

“The last batch of trainees completed their classes in the month of March, and a fresh batch of around 25 to 30 forest officials will arrive here in June,” Mr Bhutia said.