UP CM offers fresh sops for filmfolk

Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Ram Prakash Gupta visited Mumbai with his aides, to offer a fresh spate of facilities and incentives, that are more substantial than those offered by any other state. He urged the filmfolk to spell out their needs and demands, all of which would be looked into in right earnest, he promised. Curiously, he did not seek to dispel the filmmakers’ fears that extremists easily sabotaged filmshoots in the state, as in the case of Deepa Mehta’s Water and Zee Films’ Gadar, when pressure groups vandalised the sets. Nor did he assure the film industry of reducing entertainment tax in the state.

The luncheon, organised by KK Modi, president of the Federation of Indian Chambers of Commerce and Industries (FICCI) on August 12 at Mumbai’s Hotel Regent, was attended by the top leaders of the Mumbai film industry. Welcoming the industrialists who were also present along with film people, KK Modi asked the CM to support industry so that it would plough back money to the state which it sorely needed. “Uttar Pradesh being the biggest state has hardly 600 cinemas whereas Kerala, which is among the smallest, has 1332. If there were 3000 cinemas, which the population and area demanded, the state would have earned more money by way of entertainment tax,” he said. He felt the state should adapt better to the new economy, which includes information technology, Internet and showbiz, all of which would be part of a massive industry.

Amit Khanna, co-chairman of the entertainment committee of FICCI, said that UP, being the largest market for Hindi films, could help the film industry in a big way. “The industry is concerned with the high rate of entertainment tax in the state (100 per cent). If it is reduced, the government will definitely stand to get more revenue. The industry is also concerned with the piracy of films which requires to be curbed. We are told that illegal prints are also operating against which no action has been taken.

Then there is the fear that pressure groups keep creating problems for filmmakers in the state, which the government would do well to dispel,” he said. He demanded to know why NOIDA’s film city was still largely unsuccessful, though film cities in Hyderabad had become successful.

Ramanand Sagar wanted the government to change its attitude towards the film industry. “Each state protects and encourages film in its own language. But Hindi has neither mother nor father. UP should let the Hindi film industry treat it as its sauteli maa if not the real mother,” he said.

Yash Chopra lamented that Uttar Pradesh officials had done little to help the industry despite the many promises. “We were offered all the facilities at NOIDA. I bought a plot there in 501 acres of land. Studios were built but there is no equipment. The officials promised us all the infrastructure, but delivered little,” he said.

Shakti Samanta pointed out the many anomalies in Uttar Pradesh. “There are so many hill stations but no infrastructure. It is expensive to carry heavy equipment like camera, crane, generators, lights and cameras,” he said.

Answering all the complaints, the chief minister assured the industry he would look into their grievances and demands. However, Delhi distributor GS Mayawala complained that though the Motion Picture Association of Delhi had given a lot of suggestions to the UP government, its representatives were not taken on the Film Development Board. He also complained that barring in Lucknow, there is pilferage of entertainemnt tax in all districts with the connivance of district authorities.

TOP

Other Stories...
FDC to oppose CCCA pact with producers

Andhra sees spurt in small films

Inquiry report tabled in state assembly

Storm is spell-binding!

Rajasthan Film City project is revived