A still from Kedarnath (2018)

 Niharika Lal (BOMBAY TIMES; August 20, 2019)

After earning a special mention in the National Film Awards in 2018, this year, Uttarakhand landed the honour of being the most film-friendly state in the country. While making the announcement, the jury members said that 18 states had self-nominated themselves for the award, among which Uttarakhand did well in most criteria.

Major portions of many recent releases, including Kabir Singh, Student Of The Year 2 and Batla House were shot in Uttarakhand. With over 85 shoots this year alone, and a number of big-budget projects lined up for the next few months, we take a look at what attracts filmmakers and production houses to the state.


‘EASE OF DOING BUSINESS ATTRACTS FILMMAKERS’
The parametres for the Most Film-Friendly State Award have been laid down by the Department of Industrial Policy and Promotion, Ministry of Commerce and Industries. These criteria mainly judge the ease of doing business in a state. Line producers say that it is this ease of doing business that draws major production houses and directors to Uttarakhand, despite the fact that they have to bring heavy equipment with them for outdoor shoots.

The Uttarakhand Film Development Council officials say that in the last 2-2.5 years, they have expedited the permission process as well. K S Chauhan, Nodal Officer and Deputy Director, Uttarakhand Film Development Council, says, “In the last 2.5 years, we have given permission for over 230 shoots in Uttarakhand. We have not refused even a single project. A number of TV serials, web series and documentaries have also been shot here.”

Line producer Rati Shankar says, “Earlier, a host of agencies used to be involved in the permission process, creating many roadblocks. But now, a single-window permission system for shooting and quick approvals have changed everything for the state. The situation has changed to such an extent that every filmmaker who shoots there promises to return for his next project. When we approach the authorities for shooting at any location in Uttarakhand, we get the permission within 24-48 hours, and even the police security (up to five personnel) is free.”


Batti Gul Meter Chalu (2018)

‘MUSSOORIE, RISHIKESH REMAIN POPULAR LOCATIONS FOR SHOOTS’
Nodal Officer Chauhan says, “We offer subsidies up to Rs 1.5 crore to shoot in the state. For big production houses, subsidies do not matter as they are only interested in hassle-free permissions. But for small production houses, subsidies obviously work. So, we have balanced it. Earlier, filmmakers had to pay somewhere between Rs 10,000 and Rs 1 lakh for locations, but we waived that fee last year. Now, we do not charge anything for shooting in the state.”

Talking about production houses’ favourite locations, he says, “Most popular cities for film shootings are Mussoorie and Rishikesh. Apart from them, Forest Research Institute (FRI), Dehradun, where the Alia Bhatt and Varun Dhawan-starrer Student Of the Year was shot, is also a popular location. The film’s sequel, which was released in May, was shot at the same location as well. The film’s team told me that they’ll come again to shoot, if there is another film in the franchise.”

Line producer Nitin Pundir says, “The most popular locations seen in multiple films are Tehri Lake, Dhanoulti, Bhatta Gaon, Chakrata Hills, Chaar Dukaan, Maldevta and Buddha Temple in Dehradun. In Rishikesh, Parmarth Niketan, where Irrfan’s Qarib Qarib Singlle was shot, is also a popular choice. And if a film is being shot in Uttarakhand, Ram Jhula and rafting camps in Shivpuri are also preferred as locations. Kabir Singh was shot at a hotel in Mussoorie. After its release, we have been receiving a number of queries for the location.”


‘HASSLE-FREE AND QUICK APPROVALS’
Line producers say when filmmakers want to show the Himalayan peaks in the background, they have only three options – Kashmir, Himachal Pradesh and Uttarakhand. Among those, Uttarakhand is preferred because of quick approvals.

Mayank Tiwari, a line producer who was a part of the Batla House shooting, says, “Due to quick permissions, a number of films have been shot in Uttarakhand recently. Shivaay was also shot in Uttarakhand, though the mountains were later capped with snow digitally. A number of film projects and web series are lined up to be shot in the state in the next two to three months. Punit Malhotra, the director of Student Of The Year 2 (above), who has shot three projects in Uttarakhand, told me that he will come again to the state. Aditya Dhar, the director of Uri: The Surgical Strike, also came for a recce recently. When Nikkhil Advani came to shoot for Batla House, he was impressed with how hassle-free shooting a film is in Uttarakhand.”

An official shares, “Of course, we ensure the shooting is hassle-free. Recently, there was a director who was shooting at the FRI. They had permission to shoot until only 9 pm, but they had 1.5 hours of shoot left. The director requested to extend the permission, as it would have cost them an additional Rs 25 lakh to come the next day. So, we extended the permission for them. In fact, there have been instances when we have given shooting permission within an hour.”

‘THE INTERIORS HAVEN’T BEEN EXPLORED YET’
While Bollywood is lining up to shoot in Uttarakhand, line producers say there are numerous locations in the state that haven’t been explored yet, as due to the lack of transportation, it’s difficult to reach there with shooting equipment. A line producer says, “In Uttarakhand, we prefer to not shoot during monsoons due to safety reasons. For us, the shooting months are September to May. But most filmmakers come to shoot after seeing a particular location in another film. There are plenty of locations that haven’t been explored due to transportation issues. We hope to resolve the problem soon.”

HOW IS THE MOST FILM-FRIENDLY STATE SELECTED?

If there is a database of production and post-production facilities, equipment suppliers, film talent/crew, available to filmmakers

If there is a database of hotels, controlled monuments and locations, emergency services (ambulance, air lifting) available to filmmakers

Does the state/UT refund payment of security amount for any given location directly into the production company’s account within 15 working days?

Has the state/UT reduced the number of documents required for obtaining filming permissions and approvals?

Does the state/UT maintain film permission records, including name of the film/TV series shot, producer details, locations and if international, the country of origin?

WHAT MAKES UTTARAKHAND SO FILM-FRIENDLY?

- Hassle-free and quick permission process

- Subsidies up to Rs 1.5 crore to shoot in the state

- No fee to shoot in the state

- Scenic locations


Shivaay (2016)