Writer-director Amberdeep Singh keen to travel to Lahore

Since the film Ucha Buraj Lahore Da is about

Sikh Empire

and the significance of Lahore Fort, which is shown prominently in the recently-released poster, writer-director Amberdeep Singh is keen to visit the walled city of Lahore and other areas for an elaborate shooting there. However, the production house is exploring possibilities in this regard. "Without Lahore sequences, it will be unfair. The film will remain incomplete and I am going to pursue it fully to include Lahore in our itinerary," said Singh. The moviemakers are likely to write to both Indian and Pakistan governments explaining their idea. "If nothing happens, we might have to give another few months, only for the creation of a replica of Lahore Fort here."

Sources say the production house is in touch with Pakistani filmmakers and experts who will provide them with video clips/footage from Lahore and other parts of Pakistan. And those will be fused or mixed to create a collage using modern graphic techniques and effects. "That's another open option. However, some generic slides/sequences from Pakistan will be used in any case to depict Sikh Empire," said a source, adding, "All locations/landmark forts, etc have to be recreated here too to add to the visual authenticity of the background." Singh added that they are hoping to get necessary clearances.
With the film's title and poster focussing on the splendour of the fort (also UNESCO World Heritage Site), spread in 20 hectares, it's the vital location in the whole plot. Also, the Lahore Fort was the staying place of

Maharaja Ranjit Singh

. "The iconic location witnessed the whole action from being passed on to various rulers to British colonialists, post annexation of Punjab, after their victory at the Battle of Gujrat in February 1849."

IMPORTANCE OF LAHORE CITY IN THE FILMAccording to the sources in the unit, the empire existed from 1799 after Maharaja Ranjit captured Lahore (it was their capital). "Since Sikh Empire talks a lot about Maharaja, who ruled for more than 38 years, Lahore too is a very important place. Also, the Samadhi of the Sikh ruler is there. The film will have a lot of elements," said a source.
'CAN'T REVEAL THE MOVIE PLOT'
The writer-director is keeping things secret. Will the project also have something on last king of Sikh Empire, Maharaja

Duleep Singh

, son of Ranjit Singh, who was stripped of his title post the second Anglo-Sikh War in 1849 and was sent to London where he stayed during exile? "There are a lot of elements in the film. It talks about bravery, war strategy, etc," said Singh. We hear the film will be a gripping historical drama which in reality began with Ranjit Singh's taking over of Lahore from its Afghan ruler, Zaman Shah Durrani.