Ritesh Sidhwani, whose Three Stories, a co-production with Hollywood studio Relativity Media, starts filming in Mumbai from Tuesday, was discussing locations when his executive producers, Arunima Roy and Pooja Gupta, suggested they shift to Pune. They pointed out that shooting in the city was frightfully expensive and also taxing, thanks to red tapism. Even after getting all the permissions, there was the possibility of a police van turning up on the set to check papers and threatening to stop the shoot.

“I'd never met Rakesh Maria but I called up the Police Commissioner and told him about my EPs grievances, pointing out that shooting in the city can help boost tourism. He instantly agreed to meet them and after a one-hour session called me back to assure me of his support,“ informs Sidhwavi. “He added that stringent action will be taken against anyone trying to disrupt the shoot and harass the unit. He's promised to a single-window system to make the process of getting permissions, easier and quicker.“

Outlining his plans, Maria told Mirror, “In future, filmmakers need to just come to the Headquarters and apply for permission to Mumbai Police Theatre Branch, a month before the shoot. The application will be forwarded to the traffic police and the local police stations in areas where they're planning to film to inform them in advance. Once they get the NOCs no cop will show up to interfere with their work.“

A relieved Sidhwani now plans to meet Maria accompanied by a few filmmakers, so that the top cop can understand their concerns and streamline the process to benefit the fraternity at large.