Meet Healing Hearts: The real band that inspired the makers of Lucknow Central!

It is a given truth that Bollywood filmmakers and its fandom are kind of addicted to Bollywood entertainment films, but from time to time filmmakers have also attempted to entertain audience with realistic stories with an entertaining plot. It seems, Farhan Akhtar ’s upcoming film Lucknow Central is based on a real story of a band titled Healing Hearts, which was formed by 12 inmates in Lucknow Central Jail in 2007 as a part of prisoner reform program! And it was revealed when entire team went to Lucknow as part of their promotional tour and met with the real band at an event!

In an interview with DNA , director Ranjit Tiwari revealed how he got the idea! “Around three years ago, I read an article about an annual day program 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".

About Healing heart, when the senior superintended of Lucknow Central Jail, VK Jain, decided to take an extra step in the prisoner reforms and then the idea of Healing Hearts was formed in 2007. Funds were raised to set up a band within the prison which would compete with other bands in the annual contest. And this noble idea sets in motion, fifteen instruments were bought and few even volunteered for the cause which includes prison guard named Noor Mohammad, who knew how to play instruments as his dad was a member of a private band.

With his leadership, the band eventually won the contest and encouraged by this victory, VK Jain even gave them an opportunity to perform at a private party. Since being prisoner band is an USP, the band became popular and found more work. Now, there's even a booking counter for them and they charge half the price of regular bands and even perform at the Republic day parades, and even playing Bollywood numbers at various private parties and weddings. And when they are done performing the act, they are brought back to the prison to serve their sentences!

Along with Farhan, the film also stars Diana Penty , Gippy Grewal , Ronit Roy , Deepak Dobriyal , Inaamulhaq and Rajesh Sharma . Produced by Viacom 18 Motion Pictures, Nikhil Advani , Monisha Advani and Madhu Bhojwani, Lucknow Central will be releasing this September 15, in the theatres near you!