Soon, movie shoots at Rajasthan monuments may not cost you a penny!
Rajasthan government proposes to waive filming fee.
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Nahargarh Fort in Jaipur. Image credit: Post Staff.
Jaipur: Film shootings have become a major source of publicity for the monuments in Rajasthan whereas the department created for the promotion of tourism has hardly done anything noticeable. At the same time, filmmakers have also witnessed shocking incidents while shooting in the state. The latest is the controversy surrounding the film Padmavati and the attack on its director Sanjay Leela Bhansali.
Films portray the monuments in a grand manner unlike any other medium hence the Department of Archeology is preparing a proposal to allow filmmakers shoot at certain locations without charging them anything. This is being done in order to promote tourism in the state. The authorities have recognized the importance of the film industry and also want to make the current process of receiving permission smoother. At present, there are a lot of hassles in getting the necessary permission for shooting in the state and especially at its iconic monuments.
The cities that host film shootings also get a lot of promotion. Rajasthan is extremely popular among Bollywood and whenever there is an idea of a period film, the filmmakers first think of this state which has a rich history. Palaces and forts like Amer and deserts of Rajasthan are famous sites of shooting. Blockbusters like Bajirao Mastani, Jodha Akbar, Umrao Jaan, etc have been shot here.
Presently there is a hefty fee taken for shooting at monuments in the state. For example, shooting at Amer Palace costs Rs 2 lakhs and the same for the outer area of Sheesh Mahal is Rs 3 lakhs per day. The authorities are planning to waive off this fee. This is a welcome initiative on behalf of the officials as the state has witnessed some unwanted incidents in recent times. Continuing Bollywood’s fascination towards the state is important. The authorities plan to collect a fixed and reasonable amount from the filmmakers for shooting so that the cost of damages if any can be recovered. The filmmakers will have to ensure the safety of the monuments as well as the tourists.
