A 141-year-old prison in Bhopal has undergone an unusual transformation. Once known for housing prisoners and political figures, the historic Bhopal District Jail has now become a popular shooting destination for Bollywood filmmakers and OTT production houses.
Built in 1885, the facility has reportedly generated more than ₹1.35 crore in revenue for the government by hosting film and web series shoots over the past few years. According to a report published by The New Indian Express, approximately 25–30 films and web series have been filmed at the premises.
The jail's original architecture, old barracks, high walls and authentic prison atmosphere have made it an attractive location for filmmakers looking to recreate realistic jail environments without constructing elaborate sets.
From Central Jail to Popular Film Shooting Location
The historic facility originally functioned as Bhopal Central Jail. It continued serving that purpose until 1992, when a new Central Jail was established on the outskirts of the city.
After the relocation, the old complex was notified as Bhopal District Jail. In 1994, the headquarters of the state jail department shifted to the premises. Later, parts of the complex were also used by the district administration as an EVM strongroom and election counting centre.
Today, nearly half of the property accommodates the jail department's headquarters, staff residences and other administrative facilities. The remaining portion consists of the old, non-functional prison area, which is made available for film shoots.
Ranbir Kapoor's Sanju Started the Bollywood Connection
The jail's association with the film industry began in 2017 with the shooting of Sanju, starring Ranbir Kapoor and directed by Rajkumar Hirani.
The biographical drama, based on the life of actor Sanjay Dutt, marked the beginning of the location's journey as a film-shooting destination.
Film and web series productions gained momentum during 2021–22. Since then, the premises have been used to recreate several well-known prisons, including Mumbai's Arthur Road Jail, Ajmer High Security Jail and Shivpuri Jail.
The authentic setting allows filmmakers to shoot prison sequences in a real institutional environment rather than relying entirely on studio-built sets.
From Maharani to Black Warrant: Popular Projects Shot Here
Several films and web series have used the old Bhopal jail as a shooting location. These include projects featuring some of the biggest names in Indian entertainment.
Notable productions include:
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Sanju – Ranbir Kapoor
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Maharani – Huma Qureshi
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Auron Mein Kahan Dum Tha – Ajay Devgn and Tabu
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Aashram – Bobby Deol
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Psycho Saiyyan – Ravi Kishan
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Gandhi Godse – Ek Yudh – directed by Rajkumar Santoshi
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Jehanabad – Of Love & War
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Black Warrant – featuring Zahan Kapoor
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Raja Mantri Chor Sipahi
According to the report, the jail is also scheduled to host productions for Maharani 5, SANKEE and Black Warrant 2 in December 2026, along with a web series starring Sharman Joshi.
A senior jail department official reportedly said that around 90 per cent of the jail sequences in major Hindi film and web series projects are being shot at the location because of its original prison-like setting.
Why Filmmakers Prefer Bhopal's Historic Jail
The old jail offers something that conventional film studios often struggle to recreate: an authentic prison environment.
The section available for shooting contains 15 empty barracks spread across four sectors. Its existing architecture provides filmmakers with realistic interiors and exteriors, helping productions establish a convincing prison atmosphere.
Officials associated with Madhya Pradesh tourism have also identified the property as a preferred location for film crews.
Apart from its visual appeal, Bhopal offers relatively affordable production options. Local line producer Sachin Sharma, who operates MP Films, has pointed to the city's combination of historic buildings, natural surroundings and cost-effective locations as factors attracting filmmakers.
Bhopal's Gullak House and Michael House Also Attract Film Crews
The old jail is not the only historic property in Bhopal that has found recognition through films and web series.
A century-old residence in the Ibrahimpura locality, originally known as Afaq Mansion, is now popularly called Gullak House. The property served as the Mishra family's home in four of the five seasons of the popular web series Gullak. Its owner, retired government engineer Ehtesham Hussain, has said that the house has also hosted projects such as Crime Patrol.
Another prominent location is Michael House, also known as Emilly Villa, in Jahangirabad. Built in 1958 by Dr Emilly Barkley and her husband, the property became known as Michael House during the filming of The Last Show in 2020.
Since then, it has hosted around 35 films, television serials, web series and advertisements. It has also appeared in Maharani and the Jitendra Kumar-starrer Jadugar.
Bhopal Emerging as a Film Production Destination
Bhopal's historic jail and heritage residences demonstrate how existing buildings can acquire a new identity through cinema and digital entertainment.
The city also offers other popular shooting locations, including Minto Hall, Gauhar Mahal, Moti Mahal, Shaukat Mahal and Benazir Palace.
With its historic architecture, affordable production facilities and distinctive locations, Bhopal is increasingly attracting filmmakers from across the country. The transformation of its old jail from a place of confinement into a sought-after film set is one of the most unusual examples of this growing connection between heritage and the entertainment industry.
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