Raju Vernekar
Close on the heels of the Andhra Pradesh and Rajasthan, the Maharashtra Government has decided to provide free space for shooting films, documentaries and advertisement films on its premises.
As per the decision taken in a state cabinet meeting held on March 16, all government, semi-government offices, local-self-government bodies, aided institutions and corporations will provide space free of charge for shooting movies, television serials, advertisements and commercials in other languages, including Marathi and foreign languages.
The concerned film makers will be required to apply for the permission through a single window launched at the Maharashtra Film, Theatre and Cultural Development Corporation, Goregaon in North Mumbai from on May 8, 2022 onwards.
It is mandatory for Government organisations to provide shooting space in good condition. The concerned department or authority will collect Rs. 40,000 for ad film, Rs.1,00,000 for TV serial, and Rs. 2,50,000 for film from the production houses, as deposit. In case of damage to government property, the compensation will be recovered from the concerned film maker as per the government rules. The department reserves the right to change the deposit amounts after a period of time, a notification issued by the state cultural department stated.
The parties permitted to film in open spaces shall not disrupt the regular functioning of the concerned institutions or offices and the existing guidelines in terms of law and order shall be strictly followed.
However this facility will not be allowed at the Government-controlled Maharashtra Film, Theatre and Cultural Development Corporation Limited, Dadasaheb Phalke Chitranagari, Goregaon, Mumbai and Kolhapur Chitranagari Corporation Limited, Kolhapur, as well as the new “Chitranagaris” to be set in future.
In order to facilitate the permission process, a single window) has been launched at the Maharashtra Film, Theatre, and Cultural Development Corporation, Goregaon, Mumbai, as per the government decision dated May 8, 2022.
Mumbai is the centre of entertainment industry in the country. Late Dadasaheb Phalke began the era of the film industry in Mumbai. Fifty per cent of film production and job creation takes place in Mumbai as compared to the rest of the country. Mumbai has approximately 500 production houses, 250 theatres and multiplexes and over 150 private cinemas. Different departments of Maharashtra earn roughly Rs 8-10 crore annually from the filming process.
Welcoming the decision the Indian Motion Picture Producers’ Association (IMPPA) President Abhay Sinha said that the IMPPA expresses its heartfelt gratitude to the Maharashtra government for this progressive initiative. The streamlined clearance process and the provision of free filming facilities makes Maharashtra a more attractive destination for filmmakers and IMPPA had been actively advocating for measures that support and promote the film industry.
