Maharashtra intends to build its fifth Film City on 125 acres in the Konkan region’s Guhagar taluka of Ratnagiri district. The proposed project, which is roughly seven hours away from Mumbai, intends to create jobs in the area and fill in infrastructure gaps for film shoots along the Konkan coast.
Ashish Shelar, the Maharashtra Minister of Cultural Affairs, is leading the initiative, while the tourist and cultural affairs departments are working on a comprehensive project report. A media article claims that the facility will probably be built using a public-private partnership (PPP) format with private entertainment industry participants.
A Film City: What Is It?
A dedicated complex containing studios, sets, production facilities, and supporting infrastructure for creating movies, TV shows, and other audiovisual content is known as a “film city.” Additionally, it might offer outdoor shooting venues and crew accommodations. A Film City can assist the entertainment sector and lessen logistical difficulties by combining these facilities.
What is the current number of film cities in Maharashtra?
Maharashtra now boasts one Film City in Goregaon, Mumbai; another is planned in the vicinity of Nashik and Nagpur; a second Film City, spanning 150 acres, is proposed in Malad; and a fifth is currently being suggested in the Konkan region.
What is the required investment amount for the Fifth Film City?
Land now owned by the Maharashtra Tourism Development Corporation (MTDC) in the villages of Palshet, Velneshwar, and Tavsal will be included in the proposed Film City. The project, which is anticipated to comprise two or three studios, lodging for film workers, and sites appropriate for filming movies and television series, is being considered by the government for an initial investment of about ₹100 crore. The project’s goal is to establish production facilities in a coastal area that draws filmmakers but lacks the logistical assistance and infrastructure needed for filming.
The picturesque beauty and coastline sections of Dapoli and Guhagar made them attractive locations for film and television filming, according to the Maharashtra Film, Stage and Cultural Development Corporation Limited. But there aren’t enough facilities in the area for production crews.
According to the report, after learning about the challenges faced by film crews visiting the area, former BJP MLA Vinay Natu, who represents the Guhagar region, recommended the proposal. Television serials and Marathi films like Kaksparsh and Bapya have been filmed at Guhagar and Dapoli. Production logistics were challenging, according to Natu, because the area lacked amenities comparable to Film City and studios in Mumbai and Karjat.
