Film City shifts to Goa

With the underworld in Bombay making it difficult for the Bollywood to function peacefully, Goa has come to the rescue by providing an alternate Film City in the tourist state.

A proposal, mooted by some Bombay-based filmmakers, is expected to be discussed at the cabinet meeting today.

The demand has been echoed several times in the past, especially during the State film festival in Goa. The government has decided to think about it positively.

After Kashmir became a risky location, Goa was the next best choice for film shootings.

The idyllic beaches, old houses with Portuguese architecture along the western belt and the interior forest, greenery and waterways have attracted several film directors here.

But there are hardly any facilities available locally, including the professional services and hi-tech equipment. In fact, Goa does not even produce any films, except few video films, locally.

"We plan to provide State-of-the-art studio and all the necessary infrastructure at the Film City", says Industries Minister Shaikh Hassan, who has taken the proposal seriously.

He is eyeing a plateau at Keri, measuring around 13 lakh square metres, near the temple town of Ponda taluka. The site has been lying idle since the proposed controversial Nylon project was shifted from here five years ago.

In order to raise funds and maintain it, Hassan plans to set up the Film City Development Corporation. "People interested in having its studios here will have to either buy a piece of land or have it on lease," he adds.

The lush green Keri plateau on the banks of river Mandovi, which could have been polluted by the nylon threads, will now be weaving the silver screen, provided the proposal takes off.