MBMC chief spells ‘cut’ to illegal film shoots in city

Mira Bhayandar Municipal Corporation (MBMC) chief Dr. Naresh Gite has finally spelt - ‘cut it’ to the claps of lights, action and camera by the crew of illegal film shoots in the twin-city which has metamorphosed into a production hub for the makers of tele=serials and reality shows.

However, the money spinning action for some can cause great inconvenience to many, prompting Dr. Naresh Gite to finally crack the whip on such illegal activities which were not only posing a nuisance but also causing financial losses to the municipal exchequer.

Apart from roads, gardens and playgrounds, even crematoriums were not spared as locations by the film crews. The shooting of a teleserial which was being conducted sans permission in Bhayandar was stalled mid way by the civic administration on Wednesday.

Not only was the location manager Manoj Gonsalves of Excel-9 Location slapped with a spot fine of Rs 5 lakh, but an FIR for illegal trespass was also registered against him at the Bhayandar police station.

Stung by the nuisance, MBMC’s general body has passed a resolution in May-3017 effecting a manifold hike in fees from Rs 3,000 to Rs 50,000 and Rs 1 lakh for civic properties below and above one acre respectively, this tagged with multiple restrictions in order to ensure smooth thoroughfare for citizens at public places like gardens and playgrounds.

This allegedly prompted location managers to avoid taking permissions leading to massive corruption at local ward offices, as bribe exchanged hands to turn a blind eye to the illegal shoots in the city.

With a number of complaints flowing in, the civic chief swung into action and cracked the whip against the filmy trespassers.