HP urged to give tax sops to filmmakers

SHIMLA: Ace Bollywood film director Ramesh Sippy, who is in town for the shooting of his movie ‘Shimla Mirchi’, has urged the Himachal Pradesh government to relax regulatory procedures, grant tax benefits and provide more facilities in the state for filmmakers. “We (filmmakers) have requested the government to ensure a favourable environment for producing movies in the state. And, I think, it is giving serious thought to our request as it plans to introduce a single-window clearance policy for filmmakers.” “Like any other business, the film industry would like to have tax concessions, as movies shot in Himachal would help to promote tourism in the state. It’s a win-win situation for all. Gujarat recently launched a single-window clear- ance for filmmakers needing permission from different government agencies, which is very encouraging,” Sippy, who directed the Hindi blockbuster ‘Sholey’, said. When asked about directing a film in state for the first time, he said, “I decided to make a movie for which I needed a small town and not a big city like Mumbai or Delhi or a foreign locale. I thought Shimla would be a suitable location. The town has a unique chara- racter and its streets and houses give an entirely different look.” Asked why the title of his next film begins with the letter ‘S.’ like his previous movies (‘Sholey’, ‘Seeta Aur Geeta’, ‘Shaan’, ‘Sagar’, ‘ Shakti’), he quipped: “I can’t help it if Shimla starts with the letter ‘S’.