Madras Day 2025: When Tamil Cinema and Railway Cross Track in Chennai

There is a track where Tamil cinema and railway differentiate between Madras. Many hit films and iconic scenes, which have been prepared in memory of filmmakers, were shot in the railway premises. These places provide the right background to many films, so that, they are remembered more to be set in these places than their actors.

He himself depicted in a film song dedicated to the train gentle, Where Prabhu Dance danced on a hit number Chikku Bukku Chikku Bukku Rail. The way the song, which also introduced music director GV Prakash as a child singer, speaks in the sink with the train movement, which inspired both the song and the railway station to the audience.

Many film directors including Mani Ratnam, Shankar, Mascin and Fazil offer trains as a major setting or backdrop. , Photo Credit: S. Shivraj

Chief Public Relations Officer of Southern Railway M. St.Mil Selvan said that with the permission of film shooting, revenue was a good source of non-casual income for the railways. The Public Relations Department is in charge to allow film shooting, which require many formalities as passengers or train operations should not be affected. He said that during 2024-25, Southern Railways earned around 60 lakhs from the fee collected for the film shooting license.

Senior Public Relations Officer of Southern Railway D. Om Prakash said that there were some favorite films shot in the railway premises Alaipayuthey At Tambaram railway station, gentle At Egmore railway station, and Agni Nachthiram And Singarvelan At Southern Railway Headquarters, Purchi Thalaor Dr. MG Ramachandran is located next to the Central railway station.

Many film directors including Mani Ratnam, Shankar, Mascin and Fazil, along with railway stations, facilitate trains as a major setting or background during either memorable scenes. There was a notable example ThodariA film has been completely set on an ongoing train, not to mention Bharatirja’s classic Kijheke Pogum RailWhich includes a song sequence on a moving train.

Additionally, like movies Chennai Express And Ambu Karangal There are sequences related to the train, although they cannot be fully train-based flixes. Tondirpet railway yard was depicted in Kamal’s 2022 Hit Film ‘VikramRoyapuram railway station, where the first train in South India operated, is a heritage station and a popular shooting site in the Tamil film industry.

‘Rail’ Ravi, A retired railway officer reminds about films shot in the railway premises. Actor Shivaji In Pachai Vilaku The star, as a train driver, was shot at Basin Bridge railway station. Also, actor Kamal’s hit films Anbe Shivam, Kurudhipunal, Vasul King MBBSAnd actor Rajinikanth Shivaji He said that there were scenes shot at the railway headquarters.

Interestingly for the film Madrasapattinam, Instead of renting the Chennai Central Railway Station, the producers created a new set of the station to bring the spirit of the era of freedom.