Kasauli, long known as a peaceful weekend escape for city dwellers, is now alive with a new energy — “lights, camera, action!” The once-sleepy hill station is quickly becoming Bollywood’s latest hotspot, after the rain-damaged roads of Manali forced filmmakers to look for alternate locations.

The first is a Hindi spy action thriller directed, written, and co-produced by Aditya Dhar. The ensemble cast is star-studded: Ranveer Singh, Sanjay Dutt, R. Madhavan, Arjun Rampal, and Rakesh Bedi.
Dhar and his wife and actor Yami Gautam arrived in the town last week, bringing Ranveer Singh and Manav Gohil to shoot few main sequences. The iconic Lawrence School, Sanawar, was transformed into a dramatic stage for Singh’s scenes, while the lush hills served as an unpolished, rustic set. Interestingly, Sanjay Dutt, an alumnus of the school, had not visited the shoot yet.
Nearby, another team has been busy filming. Sony TV’s crime thriller Undekhi is shooting its much-anticipated fourth season among the rolling pine forests. Produced by Applause Entertainment, the show has already been praised for its gripping storylines, and this time the Dharampur-Sanawar road has become its canvas.
Surya Sharma, who is the lead actor of the show, and Dibyendu Bhattacharya, Varun Badola, and Lavina Tandon have been camping in Kasauli since early September. The crew has been moving across ravines and valleys, capturing the town’s raw charm for over three weeks.
The arrival of filmmakers has been a boost for local businesses, especially hotels and taxis, which suffered after heavy rains earlier this month. “What can be more heartening than seeing hotels booked in the lean season?” said Rocky Chimni, vice-president of the Kasauli Residents and Hoteliers Association.
Hopeful that this is just the beginning, Chimni added, “With Manali out of bounds, Kasauli is emerging as a preferred rendezvous for filmmakers.”