LUCKNOW (Metro Rail News): It was the first time ever that Bollywood celebrities got to go for a ride in the Lucknow Metro ever since it started in the city two years ago. Actors Gulshan Grover, Mahima Chaudhry, and filmmaker Rahul Mittra took a ride in the Lucknow Metro on Saturday afternoon and giving them the company was Kumar Keshav, Managing Director, Lucknow Metro Rail Corporation (LMRC).
Till now, no celebrity had ever traveled in the Lucknow Metro nor was any photoshoot allowed in the train after its inauguration last year. But on Saturday, the Chaudhary Charan Singh International Airport Metro Station (CCSMS) wore a festive look when the trio was to board the train from there and travel up to Hazratganj in it.
A huge crowd was already at the station to see the Badman and the Pardes girl who came and waved to them. Rahul Mittra, who’s produced films like ‘Bullett Raja’ and ‘Saheb Biwi Aur Gangster’, was also greeted with whistles and cheers by the crowd.
Gaurav Prakash, Kumar Keshav, Gulshan Grover, Mahima Chaudhary and Rahul Mittra (BCCL/ Farhan Ahmad Siddiqui) Making videos and clicking snaps of the Metro most of the time during her journey was Mahima, who also took time to click selfies with her fans at the Hazratganj Metro Station.
“I very rarely use a Metro system but I’m glad to see the world-class things which are present in Lucknow now,” said Mahima, adding, “I loved the artworks, especially at the Hazratganj Metro Station where chikankari work has been depicted. This kind of construction will be an example of all other projects which are under process.” While for Gulshan Grover, it was a pleasant ride and he was all praises for the metro, “Lucknow Metro is something which is beyond my expectation, it is so clean and tidy. Depicting each thing in a fine manner, especially the artwork at the CCS Airport Metro Station where the Brij culture of Dance has been shown. I will definitely opt for the Metro on my next visit here,” he said. Calling it a proud moment for Lucknow Metro, an overwhelmed Kumar Keshav, MD, LMRC said, “I am really proud that big names of Bollywood like Gulshan Grover, Mahima Chaudhary, and Rahul Mittra took a ride in our metro.
It was really a very good gesture from their side. We had asked them a day before they were scheduled to visit Lucknow if they would like to ride in the Lucknow Metro to which they readily agreed. They were very appreciative and were mighty impressed by the artwork at the Hazratganj Metro station.
It’s just the beginning and soon many stars will visit us. I would like to welcome eminent personalities visiting the nawabi city in the future, to come and see this new addition to Lucknow by taking a ride in the Metro,” said Keshav.
“Earlier we had only eight stations but now we have 21 stations, and the most beautifully designed section was inaugurated just four months back. So, I am hopeful that filmmakers will soon approach us. Till now, maybe the script of the films being shot in the city didn’t have such a scene to can in a Metro or else they would have approached us.” Keshav further informed us that the fees for shooting at the LMRC premises and properties are also quite nominal and is only for the actual time of the shooting. “We will not charge for the preparation time needed before and after the shooting,” informed Keshav
