Delhi is among Bollywood’s favourite shoot locations, but there’s a growing sentiment among line producers that the Capital might be losing its shoot-friendly tag, thanks to the escalating costs. “Shooting in Delhi has become too expensive, so only big banners shoot here now. People are now considering Uttar Pradesh, Haryana or Punjab,” says line producer Navmeet Singh.

Over the last few months, several films, including Rocky Aur Rani Kii Prem Kahani, Animal, Paatal Lok, Murder Mubarak, Indian Police Force, 12th Fail and Shehzada, were shot in Delhi. In fact, actors Akshay Kumar and Ananya Panday are currently shooting for their next in the city. Point this out and Singh says that the projects are all backed by big makers.

Line producers say that a four-hour shoot at the Delhi airport costs around Rs. 10 lakhs and filming at the New Delhi Municipal Council (NDMC) area costs around Rs. 4 lakhs. In case of historical places, the prices have gone up from Rs. 5,000 to Rs. 1 lakh.

Explaining why the prices have soared, a source says, “Since people are aware that Bollywood films have big budgets, they also charge more now.”

However, government sources deny line producers’ claims and say that the shoots are “happening in a steady way with big names coming to the city”.