Mumbai: Western Railway (WR) has generated a revenue of nearly Rs 1 crore in the current financial year from granting permission for film and ad shootings across its network. A significant portion of this earning, Rs 20 lakh, came from the use of the prestigious Vande Bharat train for a single day of shooting at Mumbai Central station.

For the first time in the history of Indian Railways, the semi-high-speed Vande Bharat train was utilized for film shooting on January 8, 2025. This unique opportunity was granted for an advertisement film that is currently in the production stage.

Vande Bharat train featured in historic film shoot at Mumbai Central, contributing Rs 20 lakh to Western Railway's revenue

“This is a landmark event not just for Western Railway but for Indian Railways as a whole, marking the first time the Vande Bharat train has been used for such a purpose,” said a senior WR official.

According to WR, in the current financial year 2024-2025, Western Railway has issued permissions for nine film-related projects, including four ad films, three feature films, one web series, and one TV promo shoot. These projects collectively contributed to the department’s significant revenue of nearly Rs 1 crore.

A senior official revealed that the maximum revenue in this period came from the ad film involving the Vande Bharat train, with Rs 20 lakh charged for a single day of shooting at platform number -5 of Mumbai Central Railway station on Wednesday.

Chief Public Relations Officer of Western Railway, Vineet Abhishek, highlighted the department’s efforts to streamline the process for filmmakers. “The introduction of a single-window clearance system has made obtaining permissions for film shoots much easier. This initiative has significantly boosted our earnings and attracted filmmakers to our locations,” he stated.

According to sources Western Railway’s decision to open its locations, including trains like the Vande Bharat, for film production aligns with Indian Railways’ broader strategy to promote tourism and generate non-fare revenue.

"With an increasing number of filmmakers choosing railway premises for their shoots, WR is expected to further capitalize on this growing trend in the coming years" said an official.

"This success underscores the iconic appeal of Western Railways and its infrastructure, making it a preferred choice for filmmakers while simultaneously bolstering its financial resources" further added Vineet Abhishek.