Opening new era for the upcoming local artists, state government on Saturday signed two Memorandum of Understandings (MoU) to open new modern smart film cities on lucknow-Agra Expressway besides offering various sops to attract the Bollywood as well as other South Film Industry to shoot here in Uttar Pradesh. Chief Minister, Akhilesh Yadav, who was present at the function, claimed that the people failed to recognise the strength, rich culture and heritage of Uttar Pradesh, but now since the launch of new film policy, the same people who feared of coming to the State due to much hype given to law and order, were now advocating that this State is the best place for the film industry, particularly for the young and talents persons who were in search of resources to fulfill their dreams.
Addressing in presence of several prominent Bollywood personalities like Muzaffar Ali, Boney Kapoor, Ravi Kishan and Divya Dutt etc, Akhilesh Yadva said for the last three years, his government’s effort to woo the Bollywood filmmakers have been successful and presently shooting of 30 films are underway in the state.“ After film city is set up in the state, around 100 films would come in the state in a year,” he stated while terming that Bollywood personalities as ‘ Mumbai ka dost of UP’.
However, the CM, did not spare the BJP ruled Central government on the occasion saying that the Centre says that Taj Mahal and Varanasi are in India but we say that it is in Uttar Pradesh. “ A film will only be hit if it is successful in UP as the state has the largest population hence shooting in the state will certainly guarantee the filmmakers that their movie would be hit,”he said while adding that Indian leader was also raking up that the country is the largest market of the world. He congratulated the Japanese delegation and expressed hope that they would extend support in films produced in the film-city. Appreciating noted film maker Muzaffar Ali, Akhilesh said he had made great movies and no other person better knows ‘tehzeeb’ and culture of the city than him. He said after coming to power the SP government has done a lot in tourism sector. “We are not Nawabs, but we have got an opportunity tomake old heritage sites more beautiful. There will be no other gate in the world which is more beautiful than Roomi Gate or a marvel like Taj Mahal,” he said.
While Janisaar, produced and directed by eminent Bollywood director Muzaffar Ali was given a subsidy of Rs 2.25 crores, Boney Kapoor’s film Tevar was given Rs two crore and Dojak- In search of Heaven was given Rs 59,53,257 . Janisaar, which is slated to be released on August 15 next, has done a shooting of 48 days in UP out of the total 55 days and that too in lucknow. Tevar shooted for 47 days in Mathura and Agra out of the total 56 days while Dojak- In search of Heaven did 25 per cent shooting in UP.
Two Memorandum of Understanding(MoUs) for the film city have been signed between the Film Bandhu and one with a Japanese company while another with Bhojpuri actor Ravi Kisan’s production company in presence of Akhilesh Yadav, who presented cheques of subsidy to three film producers of Janisaar, Tevar and Dozakh – In Search Of Heaven. The CM also launched the website of the Film Bandhu and released a book on film policy of the state on the occasion.
Welcoming guests, Principal Secretary (Information), Navniet Sehgal, who is also the head of the Film Bandhu, said that to give a hassle free services to those coming for shooting in UP, they had introduced a single- window system. “The Bollywood and other filmmakers had not to run here and there as we are introducing a single window system for the purpose”, asserted Sehgal adding that they would also made one administrative officer as ‘Nodal Officer’ who would facilitate all facilities to the film makers so that smooth shooting could take place.
Tourism Minister, Om Prakash Singh, also hailed the new film policy and claimed that despite of much hue and cry made over land and other in the media, still UP is the second state in the country as far as domestic tourists flow in concerned where as amongst the foreign tourists, UP stands at the fourth place in the country.