Hindustan Times (Lucknow)

Yogi to Bollywood: Make films with social message

CM gives subsidies to 14 films shot in the state

- HT Correspond­ent lkoreporte­rsdesk@htlive.com ▪

LUCKNOW: Chief minister Yogi Adityanath on Saturday exhorted film producers to make movies with a social message, like ‘Toilet: Ek Prem Katha’ which played a major role in impressing upon people the importance of toilets.

Adityanath was chief guest at the Enhancemen­t and Developmen­t of Film Induced Tourism organised by the Uttar Pradesh Film Bandhu.

On the occasion, prominent producers and directors of Bollywood were also present. As part of film policy of the state, the chief minister also gave subsidies to 14 films shot in the state.

Addressing the gathering, the CM said: “Films play a major role in spreading social messages.” Stressing on the importance of movies with a social message, the CM said: “Movie ‘Toilet: Ek Prem Katha’ played a big role in making people realise the importance of toilets and spreading the message of cleanlines­s.”

Now, 2.60 crore families in the state had a toilet, he added.

“Cleanlines­s has brought down medical bills of people by 30 to 40% ,” Yogi said. .

On the occasion, the CM also told the gathering that due to cleanlines­s, cases of Japanese Encephalit­is had come down drasticall­y in Gorakhpur and its adjoining regions.

“Around 500 to 700 children in the age group of 1 – 15 years were admitted to Gokahpur Medical College with Japanese Encephalit­is in August 2017 and around 125 to 150 deaths were reported,” he said .

“But one year later, in August 2018, only 86 children were admitted and only six deaths were reported. This was possible only due to Swachh Bharat Abhiyan of Prime Minister Narendra Modi,” he said .

The chief minister pointed out that poor sanitary conditions were responsibl­e for a large number of Japanese Encephalit­is deaths in Gorakhpur region.

The CM also talked about the Bollywood flick ‘Uri: The Surgical Strike’ based on attack on terrorist camps across the border in Pakistan by the Indian Army.

Movie ‘Toilet: Ek Prem Katha’ played a big role in making people realise the importance of toilets and spreading the message of cleanlines­s. Cleanlines­s has brought down medical bills of people by 30 to 40%

YOGI ADITYANATH, UP Chief Minister

“The movie not only gave a message of patriotism but also made people aware of the circumstan­ces under which the Indian Army works,” he said .

Adityanath also pointed out that Hindi movies had made the language popular even in southern states of the country.

Inviting the Bollywood fraternity to shot films in Uttar Pradesh, the CM assured full cooperatio­n and security.

Bollywood producers Bonny Kapoor, Satish Kaushik, actors Ravi Kishan, Ayushmann Khurana, Manoj Pahwa and Bhojpuri singer Dinesh Lal Yadav ‘Nirahua’, chairman of PHD Chamber of Commerce and Industry, UP chapter, Lalit Khaitan, co-chairman Mukesh Bahadur Singh and Gaurav Prakash were also present.

 ?? HT ?? ▪ Chief minister Yogi Adityanath with film producers and actors in Lucknow on Saturday.
HT ▪ Chief minister Yogi Adityanath with film producers and actors in Lucknow on Saturday.

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