Manji Sahib (Doraha): The Amir Khan starrer “Rang De Basanti” has brought into limelight a historical inn located behind Gurdwara Manji Sahib, Doraha. Till very recently, the inn was in ruins with only its boundary wall surviving the onslaught of elements of nature over the past several centuries.

All those who have watched the movie would recognise the dilapidated building in which a group of friends meet and they make plans to get themselves heard. The inn has become a favourite stopover for passers-by, especially youngsters who urge parents to let them have a closer look at the structure.

Mr Amrinder Singh, a resident of the village who was working in fields inside the building, said earlier the place was used for shooting of Punjabi video songs, but ever since Amir Khan shot his film here, the place had become a favourite spot for film and ad makers. The release of the film has further enhanced the popularity of the inn.

This is one of the several such structures dotted along the GT Road, also called the National Highway No. 1, in Punjab. Such inns were strategically built at a distance of 8 to 10 miles by Sher Shah Suri, who was instrumental in laying the historical road from Lahore to Kolkata. These inns provided a place for rest to the travellers.

This inn had remained a cause of dispute between the government and a family of the village. The inn is in the possession of a family of the village. Members of this family claim that they have won it from a local court.

The private ownership has proved a boon for the building. Though there is another inn, in a better shape and structure, across the Abohar Breeder Canal in Doraha town, filmmakers do not prefer it.

Sources in the Conservation and Archaeology Department said the filmmakers found it very cumbersome to get the place cleared for shooting. “On the other hand, a private owner readily agrees as it provides him immediate financial gains,” they add.

Mr Amrinder Singh said residents of the village, who had spent days and nights watching the shooting, made a beeline to theatres or brought VCDs to see the structure on the silver screen.