Kejriwal wants to make Capital a film-makers’ paradise

Looking to make Delhi the “most- favoured” destination for film-makers, Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal has expressed a desire to open a film city and a film institute here even as he offered help to the film industry in doing business in the state.

Meeting a delegation of film producers and promoters on Friday, the Chief Minister also asked them to come up with a draft proposal on a film and tourism policy with a good business model.

The delegation, led by the president of the Film and Television Producers Guild of India, Mukesh Bhatt, met Kejriwal at the Delhi Secretariat in order to seek Delhi government’s support in making the city a film hub.

The other members of the delegation were Ramesh Sippy, Vijay Singh, Kulmeet Makkar, Uday Singh and Uday <g data-gr-id="44">Pimprikar</g>. The delegation told Kejriwal that although they are seen as representing the soft power of the nation and are regarded as its cultural ambassadors, nothing much has been done for them. “We are the ones who bear the cultural flag of the nation abroad, but are not treated like that. 

We have come here with great hope and are looking for a partnership. “We want Delhi to become the most-favoured destination for film shoots, not only for Indian movies but foreign films too.

“That would not only make Delhi a film <g data-gr-id="43">hub,</g> but will also make it a tourist attraction. Tourism gets a great boost from films. Why should we be restricted to Mumbai, Delhi can also be a hub,” the delegation members told Kejriwal.

They also apprised the chief minister of the low number of screens in Delhi and said that it must increase. Taking note of their views, Kejriwal said, “Certainly, we are ready for the same. Open new screens, cinemas and tell us what support do you want, we will do all possible for the industry.

“We are ready to help you out in opening new screens. We want to promote art, culture and your industry. <g data-gr-id="45">Film</g> industry is a job-oriented industry and we want you to do business in Delhi.” Kejriwal told them that Delhi government was very keen on having a world-class film city in Delhi and would facilitate the building of the same.

“Apart from the film city, we also want a film institute here which will be on a par with the best,” he said while asking the film delegation to submit a draft proposal on a film and tourism policy to the government for its consideration.