From Ranbir Kapoor's Sanju To Bobby Deol's Aashram, Bhopal's 141-Year-Old Jail Becomes Bollywood's Favourite Shooting Destination

Bhopal District Jail, a 141-year-old structure in Madhya Pradesh, has become a favored filming location for Bollywood and web series productions. The jail's transformation began with Ranbir Kapoor's 2017 film Sanju, based on actor Sanjay Dutt's life. In 2022-23, the number of shoots surged, generating revenue for the government.

Established in 1885, the jail served as Bhopal Central Jail until 1992 and later housed the state jail department's headquarters. Parts of the complex are now used for storing electronic voting machines and conducting elections. Half of the jail complex houses administrative offices and quarters, while the other half remains as the old, non-functional jail, coveted by filmmakers for its authentic prison ambiance.

Notable personalities, including former President, Prime Minister during the Emergency, and current Union Agriculture Minister, were once incarcerated here. The jail has hosted over 30 films and web series, featuring Bollywood stars like Ranbir Kapoor, Ajay Devgn, Bobby Deol, and Huma Qureshi. In December, the jail is scheduled to accommodate additional shoots for Sankee, Black Warrant-2, and a web series starring Sharman Joshi.

Filmmakers appreciate the jail's unique and perfect settings for prison scenes, accounting for approximately 90% of big-budget Hindi film and web series productions.