Hollywood studios show interest in Bangalore Film City project

Big ticket film studios of Hollywood — Paramount Pictures Corporation, Universal Studios, Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer Picture — have expressed interest in developing the proposed Film City at Hesaraghatta on the outskirts of Bangalore, Information Minister R Roshan Baig said on Friday.

Replying to nominated member and cine actor Tara Anooradha in the Legislative Council, he said the government had not been able to go ahead with the project implementation due to a stay order issued by the High Court of Karnataka. Steps were being taken to get the stay vacated, he added.

The government does not want to make it another dull-looking studio. It will be a state-of-the-art film city with theme parks, studios and residential quarters.

The plan is to develop it on public-private partnership model by tying up with an international film studio. All the stakeholders of the Kannada filmdom will be taken into confidence to draw up the project plan, he added. He said that once the stay is vacated, expression of interest will be called at the global level. He also said he had held discussion with actor Kamal Haasan and film maker Subash Ghai in this regard.

Studio to be upgraded

This apart, the facility at the Kanteerava studio will be upgraded on the lines of  Noida Film City. Currently, the studio does not have proper infrastructure facilities.

“It appears like a godown. There is hardly any space for film shooting,” he added. This apart, the government is contemplating allowing film shooting on the premises of Vidhana Soudha, Karnataka High Court, Cubbon Park and Lalbagh on holidays.

“I have informed Chief Minister Siddaramaiah on the need for allowing shooting in these places. He will soon call a meeting of all stakeholders to take a decision in this regard,” the Minister said.

He also said the Information department is considering introducing the single-window system for giving permission for film shooting. Baig said the government has been looking for a suitable place to build a memorial for late actor Vishnuvardhan. Wife of the late actor, Bharati Vishnuvardhan, has given consent in this regard as there were disputes related to ownership of the land at Abhiman studio. Vishnuvardhan samadhi is located at the
studio.

Steps will also be taken for the further development of Rajkumar memorial and samadhi at the Kanteerava studio, he added.