Did you know? Farhan Akhtar’s ‘Lucknow Central’ is inspired by a true story

The intense drama film ‘Lucknow Central’ is based on a real story. Director Ranjit Tiwari found the inspiration from the real Lucknow Central jail wherein the Adarsh Jail wing music prevails. The wing consists of a band called Healing Hearts formed by 12 men who have been sentenced to life imprisonment. The band plays hit Bollywood numbers at weddings, private functions, and even baarats.

Ranjit Tiwari came across the band through an article which inspired him to make a movie on them. Recalling it the director said, “Around three years ago, I read an article about an annual day programme and music competition, started by the state government for jail inmates as an initiative for their reformation. Six to seven central jails in Uttar Pradesh participated in the contest. The idea blew my mind and I discussed it with director Nikhil Advani, who I was assisting at that time.Eventually, he and Farhan (Akhtar) joined hands for the project”.

The senior superintended of Lucknow Central Jail, VK Jain, took an extra step in the qaidi reforms and Healing Hearts was formed in 2007. Funds were released to set up a band within the prison which would compete with other bands in the …read more