Shivendra Kumar Singh
MEERUT: Meerut, the ancient town where the Indian Mutiny of 1857 started, is now the armoury of Hollywood period dramas.
The weapons and armour of Russell Crowe in Gladiator and Gerard Butler in 300 came from here, making a growing number of Hollywood producers source ancient arms, ammunition, attire, furniture, books, leather goods and household items from this north India town, 70 km from New Delhi.
Leading the charge is Deepeeka Exports, whose most recent order was for television series Spartacus: Blood And Sand. "We cater to the international market only," said its director Gagan Agarwal. "Our products have been featured in many films."
The company, which employs some 150 craftsmen, earns around Rs20 crore a year. Al Hamdd Trading Post and Swarna International are among the other medieval arms vendors in Meerut, which is better known for its sports equipment, textiles and jewellery.
Alice Baker, costume supervisor of Spartacus series, says Deepeeka provides high-quality products at much cheaper rates than American and European firms.
"Qualitatively, the stuff (from Deepeeka) is very good and much cheaper than what we get from America," she said. Deepeeka got its biggest breakthrough when it bagged the warcraft order for Gladiator from US-based Gist International.
India Times
MEERUT: Meerut, the ancient town where the Indian Mutiny of 1857 started, is now the armoury of Hollywood period dramas.
The weapons and armour of Russell Crowe in Gladiator and Gerard Butler in 300 came from here, making a growing number of Hollywood producers source ancient arms, ammunition, attire, furniture, books, leather goods and household items from this north India town, 70 km from New Delhi.
Leading the charge is Deepeeka Exports, whose most recent order was for television series Spartacus: Blood And Sand. "We cater to the international market only," said its director Gagan Agarwal. "Our products have been featured in many films."
The company, which employs some 150 craftsmen, earns around Rs20 crore a year. Al Hamdd Trading Post and Swarna International are among the other medieval arms vendors in Meerut, which is better known for its sports equipment, textiles and jewellery.
Alice Baker, costume supervisor of Spartacus series, says Deepeeka provides high-quality products at much cheaper rates than American and European firms.
"Qualitatively, the stuff (from Deepeeka) is very good and much cheaper than what we get from America," she said. Deepeeka got its biggest breakthrough when it bagged the warcraft order for Gladiator from US-based Gist International.
India Times
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