Showing posts with label K S Chauhan. Show all posts
Showing posts with label K S Chauhan. Show all posts
From easing visa process to issuing quick permits, it's a smooth run for film shoots in India despite the pandemic
8:29 AM
Niharika Lal (BOMBAY TIMES; January 30, 2021)
MAKING FILMING EASY FOR INTERNATIONAL CREW IN INDIA
In another panel discussion, India producers of Hollywood films discussed how during the lockdown, even though everything came to a grinding halt, they still got the required permissions to shoot. Alan McAlex, producer, said, “We were in the post production of a film where we needed a lot of clearances from the Ministry of Home Affairs for the use of a map in the title sequence. It was in the middle of April-May. The offices were working with one-third of the strength (due to COVID), and still the FFO helped us to get the clearances. That was really easy. There was another American production that was supposed to come to India and we had to submit our documents for the clearances. Again the FFO aided us in the middle of the pandemic. Besides that, FFO also helped us in getting in touch with embassies of the countries from where the crew were coming to India. So it was also helping us in reaching out to other countries.”
Talking about film visa procedures, Vikramjit Roy, Head, FFO, said, “We have extended the film visa norms to even include location recces for international projects, which was earlier only meant for film shoots. Now, 124 Indian missions have nodal officers who issue film visas for India. So the collaboration between the Ministry of I&B and the Ministry of External Affairs has really helped us in terms of issuance of visa.”
Talking about shooting at monuments in India, Roy added, “Come to FFO to shoot at any ASI monument, and you will get your permissions easily. The same has been done for the railways. Whether it is railway locations, a yard or a platform, that (permission of shooting there) will also now be through the FFO. Of course, we are yet to make any formal announcement for that. There are certain test cases that are taking place, and then we will go live with this announcement.”
Madhu Bhojwani, partner, Emmy’s Entertainment & Motion Pictures LLP, shared, “We got permission to shoot at Wagah border. Earlier, we were not able to do so as easily as we would have liked to. To be able to have access to a location like that is wonderful, as then you are able to tell some really compelling stories, and not have to recreate (the real locales elsewhere).”
Dhan Preet Kaur, MD, NFDC, said, “FFO’s main goal is to facilitate shooting to induce film-related tourism in the country. We are the biggest filmmakers in the world and now we are also turning into the biggest film viewers in the world.”
SHOOTING FILMS AMID PANDEMIC
During another discussion on shooting in the Coronavirus pandemic, the representatives of Uttarakhand and Madhya Pradesh discussed how they went out of their way to facilitate shootings in their states. Nishant Radhakrishnan, Head, Creative Development, Film & Series, Junglee Pictures and Jinesh Shah, Head Originals, Roy Kapur Films, who were part of this panel, discussed how with the help of state film offices and FFO, they are able to shoot films amid the pandemic.
Panelists said that Uttarakhand has removed red tape and rolled out a red carpet, and many filmmakers in Mumbai agree that they had fun shooting in Uttarakhand. K S Chauhan, Deputy Director, Information, Uttarakhand said, “On January 4, we got a request for a shoot from team Badhaai Do, and we gave permission within 24 hours. We have planned a new policy keeping COVID in mind. According to the new policy, even if 10% of the film is shot in the state, we will give subsidy to the film. We have also included foreign filmmakers in this scheme. It is also beneficial for the state. For instance, for Badhaai Do, 150-200 rooms and 50-60 cars have been booked, so it is profitable for the state as well.”
Giving an example on how they do their best to facilitate filmmakers, Ram Tiwari, Deputy Director, Madhya Pradesh Tourism Board, said, “A filmmaker expressed interest in shooting in the opium fields in Mandsaur where opium is grown legally. But due to some issues, it wasn’t possible to shoot there. However, we are trying to give them an alternate space near Indore, to cultivate opium for filming purposes, so that the production team has access to hotels, airports etc. Besides, we are currently working with Rajkumar Santoshi and Kangana Ranaut’s Dhaakad.”
Image: Vishal Bhardwaj goes location scouting for his Agatha Christie adaptation; visits the ITBP Institute in Auli
8:21 AM
Niharika Lal (BOMBAY TIMES; October 27, 2020)
Days after announcing that he is adapting an Agatha Christie novel for the Indian audience, Vishal Bhardwaj is busy location scouting. The filmmaker, who has been living in his Mussoorie home for a while now, was recently in Auli, Uttarakhand, where he plans to set the film, and visited the ITBP (Indo-Tibetan Border Police) Mountaineering and Skiing Institute. There, he met Gambhir Singh Chauhan, DIG ITBP, and discussed the feasibility of filming in the area.
Vivek Kumar Pandey, spokesperson, ITBP, says, “Vishal Bhardwaj was in Auli on October 23 and 24 as he was looking for shooting locations for his upcoming film. He visited the nearby area and discussed the feasibility with officials. He was quite impressed with the location.” October 24 was also ITBP’s Raising Day, and Bhardwaj participated in the celebrations and even sang a song written by his father for the personnel.
K S Chauhan, Nodal officer, Film Facilitation Office, Uttarakhand, who accompanied Bhardwaj, says, “He told us that he needed snowy mountains and is planning to shoot in January and February. He really liked the location.”
Uttarakhand, Himachal Pradesh see a rise in film shoots amid the pandemic
8:29 AM
Niharika Lal (BOMBAY TIMES; October 16, 2020)
With the nation gradually opening up amid the Coronavirus pandemic, several filmmakers are eyeing hill stations for shooting. It seems that the hills have become a safe haven for B-Towners. Among the first few to resume the shoot, Shahid Kapoor has already wrapped up Jersey’s Dehradun schedule. Priyadarshan’s Hungama 2, starring Shilpa Shetty, Paresh Rawal, Meezaan Jaffery and Pranitha Subhash, is being shot in Manali. While Himachal Pradesh is now granting film shoot permits, Uttarakhand, which allowed film shoots in June, has seen higher numbers.
‘GIVEN PERMISSIONS FOR OVER 50 SHOOTINGS IN UTTARAKHAND’
Officials from the Uttarakhand Film Development Council say they have seen a confident return of filming in Uttarakhand in the last couple of months. K S Chauhan, Nodal officer, Film Facilitation Office, Uttarakhand, says, “From the end of June till now, we have given permissions for over 50 shootings, which includes films, web series, video songs and so on. Almost every day, I get three to four queries from big production houses for permission. They want to know if it’s safe to film in Uttarakhand or not, and we are assuring them that they can visit and shoot with all safety measures in place.”
Last month Sanjay Mishra shot for a film at Garhi Cantt and Shakti Kapoor shot for The Dark Jungle in Mussoorie, Maldevta and Dehradun. Sources say as schools in Dehradun are closed, production houses are even getting to shoot there, something which didn’t happen often earlier. Rati Shankar, a line producer, says, “From web series to films, everyone is coming to the hills for shooting — be it Himachal or Uttarakhand. Due to these film shoots, technical staff members who had left during the lockdown have also come back and joined their crews. Currently, we are handling two projects — one is a web series and the other project is a movie, which needs to be shot higher in the mountains. We are finalising a location for it.”
PRIVATE PROPERTIES FOR ACTORS, ENTIRE HOTELS BOOKED FOR CREW
In the pre-COVID days, actors used to stay at hotels, but now private properties are being booked to minimise exposure. Mayank Tiwari, a line producer says, “For instance, Shahid Kapoor, who is currently shooting for Jersey in Dehradun, is staying at a private resort. Similarly, there are hotels for crew members, where no outsiders are allowed and it is fully booked for the crew.” Nitin Pundir, another line producer, adds, “We are renting resorts for 25-26 days. This is the most prominent change that we have noticed during the current shoots as stars are trying to avoid exposure as much as possible.”
SANITISATION SERVICE PROVIDERS FROM DELHI ARE BEING HIRED
Before visiting hills, the entire cast and crew is being tested for COVID-19, and then weekly tests are organised to ensure that the whole crew is safe. Even though there’s no mandatory rule now to carry a COVID-19 negative certificate, they are still doing tests before visiting. For these film shoots, they are also hiring sanitisation service providers from Delhi.
SAFETY MEASURES BEING TAKEN
- COVID-19 test before visiting the hills
- Stars booking private resorts
- Entire hotels are booked for crew, no outsiders are allowed
- Sanitisation services are hired from Delhi
Scenic locations, easy permits, hassle-free schedules: Uttarakhand is Bollywood’s go-to destination
7:55 AM
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)
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