Dy CM allows film shoots near dams

In a massive boost for Marathi filmmakers, the Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar has set the ball rolling to ease the proceduresfor granting permissions for film shooting across the city and district.

Pawar, yesterday, held a meeting with the officials of the district and civic administration, traffic police and the members of Indian Film Entertainment Association (IFTEA) wherein it was decided to allow shooting in the surrounding area of the dams in the district.

Pawar said that apart from the nearby areas of the dams, the premises of the various government offices could also be used for shooting on their weekly holidays.

Pawar, however, advised that shootings should not to be held on the city roads, as it would create traffic snarls in the city. Mayor Chanchala Kodre, District Collector Vikas Deshmukh, PMC Commissioner Mahesh Pathak and Police Commissioner Gulabrao Pol were also present in the meeting.

Clearing the way
"It is very tough to seek permission for shooting in Pune district. Along with the permission of traffic police, NOC of district and civic administration is also necessary even for the filming of advertisement and documentaries. However, with the orders of the Dy CM, I am hoping that, henceforth, more places in the city would be accessible for shooting of Marathi films and daily soaps," said the President of IFTEA, Laxmikant Khabia. IFTEA works as a mediator between the state government and the Marathi film industry.

Khabia added it is easy to seek permission for shooting at places under the jurisdiction of PCMC (Pimpari-Chinchwad Municipal Corporation). IFTEA members submitted a proposal to Pawar, who is also the guardian minister of the district, 15 days ago, requesting him to personally look in to the matter to give priority while giving permission for the shootings of Marathi films and serials.

"In Mumbai's film studios, Marathi movie and serial directors hardly get a chance for a shooting, so their obvious choice would be Pune," Khabia pointed out.

He maintained that considering the increasing traffic snarls in the city, IFTEA did not ask for the permission of shooting on the busy roads of the city.

Approvals needed for carrying out shoots in the city
>> Traffic NOC
>> PMC NOC
>> NOC from district administration u00a0