100 films, 12 regional soaps, 2 serials and 15 telefilms were shot in Goa last year. This year, 35 films have already been shot at this locale. Rama Dwivedi explores why this coastal paradise attracts filmmakers and whether the increased shooting charges, levied by the Government of Goa will have an impact
Gone are the days when a typical romantic Bollywood number had snow-covered peaks in Switzerland as the backdrop and zany parties were shot around flashy streets of las Vegas. Goa, which has been a hot destination for Bollywood directors for decades, is still considered as the ‘temple for filming’. According to the latest statistics by a travel website, this coastal paradise, has been the top favourite spot for Bollywood movies for the past eight years and running.
No wonder Homi Adajania, known for Cocktail and Being Cyrus, decided to shoot entirely in Goa for his fun film Finding Fanny which is to be released soon.
“It has a beautiful visual pallet and if you move away from the touristy stuff which is over-commercialised and the focus on the Portuguese influences of Goa, it offers a backdrop unique from the rest of India. Ideal for any movie,” Adajania says.
With the increase in the number of films shot in the heartland of Indian Tourism, Goa has seen a thumping rise in footfall of film makers in recent years. last year, more than 100 films were shot there. The figure stands tall as compared to a meagre 80 films in 2011 and 2012 combined. Even television shows like CID on Sony and Doli Armaanon Ki on Zee have shot special episodes in Goa. There are many more that have lined up for shoot as per the schedule on Entertainment Society of Goa’s (ESG) website. In 2014, more than 30 Bollywood films have been shot extensively or partially in Goa.
“More than a 1,000 delegates come each year to be a part of International Film Festival of India (IFFI). They get dazzled by the picturesque locations and scenic beauty of our State. It’s natural to feel enticed to capture it on reel,” Shripad Naik, the general manager of ESG, says.
But what makes Goa such hot property, especially for filmmakersIJ
Most directors subscribe to journalist Mario Cabrel e Sa’s opinion that ‘from a cinematic point of view, Goa has a charm of its own, a tradition, culture and both man-made and natural environment which are unmatchable’.
From Farhan Akhtar’s cult film Dil Chahta Hai to the gritty and tough love tale Dum Maaro Dum, all films have given us a peep into this young and stunning tourist place. Remember that old Chapora Fort where the three friends in DCH hang out and strengthen their male bondingIJ Well, the Fort is now named Dil Chahta Hai Fort! That’s how connected Bollywood and Goa are.
For filmmaker Kaizad Gustad, who recently shot Jackpot in Goa, the experience was fantastic! “I am a big fan of this place. You find everything around here — from the beaches to the hills. I call it scenically divine. And it is best suited for any type of films. That’s why there is a beeline of directors,” he tells you.
There are many who have exploited the scenary of Goa to its maximum. Sanjay leela Bhansali, known for the grandeur of his sets, played with the local scenic beauty in his film Guzaarish. Rohit Shetty, who has shot Singham Returns entirely in Goa, has accepted that the place is lucky for him.
While Bollywood has promoted the Goan culture to a remarkable extent, many feel that the films show a clichéd side of the destination.
“While Go Goa Gone and Dum Maaro Dum showed Goa as a hippie haven or drug paradise,Singham focused on the crime side. It is films like Saagar (1985), Kabhi Haan Kabhi Naa (1993), Josh (2000) and Khamoshi-The Musical (1996), that have meticulously shown the local lifestyle and culture to the T. All that is shown about the place through films aren’t true but I don’t think it’s besmirching our culture. Films have only popularised the State but we also want to promote our culture too,” Naik adds.
Adajania, who claims that he is absolutely in love with Goa, says it’s a very complex place in terms of the social fabric. “I think it has much more to offer than the clichéd representation. Finding Fanny, is based in a fictitious Goan village and I almost kept it hyper-real by avoiding anything touristy. I wanted to do a story about a bunch of dysfunctional characters who explore love and longing and it could have been anywhere in the world. The reason I based it in Goa is because I saw the story in my head in a Goan village,” he says.
Goa is indisputably a dream location but shooting here is not a cakewalk anymore as the charges have gone over the roof. “A team has to pay over Rs 1 lakh to Goa Infrastructure Development and Permission Grants Authority for a day’s shoot in Panjim city. There are additional security needs and charges as well,” Sandeep Kotecha, President of Goa line Producers Association, says.
He also blames these extravagant rates for illegal shoots in Goa as everybody cannot afford to pay such hefty amounts. “We want the prices to be reduced so as to encourage shooting in Goa,” Kotecha demands.