Promote state as shooting hub: CM to Tolly members

Kolkata: With Tollywood all set to become the first industry in India to start feature film shooting after Unlock 1.0, chief minister Mamata Banerjee welcomed film, television and web units from across India to come and shoot in Bengal. At a meeting with stakeholders on Monday, she also gave a go-ahead to shooting of non-fiction and reality shows without audience.The CM also relaxed the ceiling on shooting units from 35 to 40.
At the meeting, Eastern India Motions Pictures Association (EIMPA) president Piya Sengupta announced that the SOP for shooting feature films has been signed on Monday. Anshuman Pratyush, director-producer of ‘SOS Kolkata’ starring Mimi Chakraborty, Nusrat Jahan and Yash Dasgupta, said, “We have decided to begin shooting on Wednesday.”
“Create Bengal as a shooting destination for web, serials and reality shows,” the CM said. “You can start reality shows sans audience. But we can’t help if you call a 5,000 audience,” the CM said.
Mamata appealed to Star Jalsha, Zee, Colors Bangla and Sun Bangla to rope in producers and artists from across India. Coming to know that four serials have been stopped by Colors Bangla, she asked to make up for the loss by bringing in people from other states to shoot here. She told Tollywood members that shooting has been stalled in Mumbai, Delhi and Chennai and appealed to them to turn it into the state’s advantage. She said that there are many locations where local gatherings can be avoided. “Keep the district superintendent of police in the loop. For Kolkata, it’s the police commissioner,” the CM said.
Director Raj Chakraborty, who was present at the meeting, said: “We want to brainstorm and offer help so that Bengal becomes the hub for shooting web series.” He, along with actor-director Parambrata Chatterjee, will be a part of the state’s panel on drawing up a policy for shooting of web series in Bengal. She also cautioned crew members. “I am a little worried as Corona graph is on the rise. I appeal to producers to weave in precautionary messages on Covid-19 in serials.”
The CM also raised the number of artists from six to 10 within the 40-cap. She honoured EIMPA’s request to help single screen theatres hit by Amphan. “I congratulate you for introducing insurance. We can give free treatment to artists in state facilities and also at KPC Medical College, AMRI, Desun Hospital and Calcutta Medical College,” she said.
Meanwhile, Mahanayak film awards and Banga Bhibhushan awards will be given to artists during Kolkata International Film Festival.