DELHI, THE NEW HUB OF FILM SHOOTS?

Film frat’s meeting with Delhi CM raises hopes for a smoother shooting experience in the city

Delhi seems to have worked its charm this year with several films, such as Piku and Tanu Weds Manu Returns, shot in the Capital and doing well. However, there are various permits filmmakers need to take while shooting in Delhi, which affects their shooting schedules immensely. In an attempt to make the process of shooting smoother here, a delegation of producers and promoters, led by filmmaker Mukesh Bhatt, met Delhi chief minister Arvind Kejriwal and deputy chief minister Manish Sisodia last week, to discuss the possibility of Delhi becoming a hub for film shootings.

Talking about the outcome of the meeting, Bhatt says that he’s sure that this step will help increase the number of film shoots in the Capital. “The meeting went great...we got a very positive reaction from everyone. They were willing to do everything to make Delhi a hub of art and culture, and will be working towards getting the best infrastructure for film shoots here,” says Bhatt, president of Film and Television Producers Guild of India. He was accompanied by filmmakers Ramesh Sippy and Vijay Singh, and producer Kulmeet Makkar, among others.

Kejriwal assured them that the government will support this endeavour. “We are ready to help you (filmmakers) out in opening new screens. We want to promote art, culture and Hindi film industry. It is a job-oriented industry, and we want you to do business in Delhi,” he said, adding, “Supporting the industry work in an independent manner was very important.”

Filmmaker Shoojit Sircar, who has shot Piku and Vicky Donor (2012) in Delhi, says that Delhi is no less than Mumbai. “In the last few years, Delhi has more or less become the hub of shooting, with shoots being held here almost every day,” he says.

However, line producer Ravi Sarin says that this meeting won’t change much. ”They’ve been having such meetings for two years, plus Delhi is very expensive to shoot in, and has too many restrictions,” he says.

We got a very positive reaction. In fact, the CM even agreed to lift all the restrictions to help filmmakers shoot easily

Mukesh Bhatt, filmmaker Films are a very strong medium of social messages and changes. They can do wonders for the society. We want to promote art, culture and the film industry

Arvind Kejriwal, Delhi CM Delhi is a crucial place to shoot. It has become an industry of its own. There are studios, and even actors staying here now

Shoojit Sircar, filmmaker

PHOTO: SHIVAM SAXENA/HT A still from Tanu Weds Manu Returns, which was shot in the Capital; Shah Rukh Khan shooting in Delhi for his upcoming, Fan (above right)