September 27, 2010 (Sampurn Wire): Filmmaker Shekhar Kapur's ambitious project Paani is expected to be shot in China. This speculation has arisen from the frequent visit of the director to that country in this year. Paani is a futuristic epic by Shekhar.

The plot of the movie requires Shekhar and his art director to create a futuristic Mumbai, where two sharply demarcated sections of prople will live. One group will be called 'The Upper City', which consists of elite people with abundant water supply and the other will be 'The Lower City' that will consist of the poor sections.

A boy from the Lower City slips into the forbidden Upper City and it is followed by love and conflict.

In fact, Shekhar has already frequented China at least thrice this year. So, it will be very difficult to rule out the possibilities of the director finalizing locations for Paani in China. The last Bollywood film shot in that country was Nikhil Advani's Chandni Chowk To China.

In fact, Shekhar Kapur has not denied the possibility of shooting in China. He was quoted saying that he will shoot the movie at any place where he can get intellectual and geographical space to construct a city of a water-challenged future. He added that they are exploring the feasibility and modalities of the venue for shooting.

The filmmaker confirmed that he will start shooting for Paani by next year. He added that they are now totally into the pre-production stage as lots of preparation is required for the film. Shekhar said that he will announce the cast formally only after other details are placed properly.

Spain had also offered Shekhar to shoot his movie there but the director had probably developed a liking to China by that time.

A source close to the director was quoted saying that Shekhar has truly found a paradise in China.

-- Sampurn Wire