Staking their claim to more than just a newly formed
state, Telangana in South India is now tapping on its rich inventory of
beautiful landscapes and a rich confluence of heritage and culture to woo filmmakers
to its new avatar as a film destination. Making its presence felt for the first
time at the recently concluded NFDC Film Bazaar at the 45th International Film
Festival of India, the Telangana Tourism Department has roped in award-winning
documentary filmmaker, Dulam Satya Narayana as its brand ambassador.
With a slew of well-established studios like Prasad
Labs and Annapurna Studios among others, post production facilities and local
crew, Telangana is no newcomer to films. In fact, renowned filmmakers like
Shyam Benegal made movies there in as early as the 1970s. But as Dulam points
out, the rich culture of Telangana lies in its villages; one that has remained
largely unexplored and one that would now form the USP of its film destination
tourism. “Telangana is a newly formed state of India. The richness of the state
is in its heritage and villages that retain the cultural links and in the
people who embody the essence of hospitality,’” he avers. “Lakhnavaram Lake is
an idyllic film location. Similarly, Pochampally boasts of a handloom weavers’
community. We have verdant forests and locales. In fact, there are 11
waterfalls in one district alone which people are not aware of. We have two
unique festivals such as Bonalu and Bathukamma,” he elaborates.
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With an eye on the national as well as international
film industry, Telangana is keen to collaborate with different brands for
potential film projects and documentaries. “Locations in Telangana are most
suitable for any kind of film shoots. In fact, a story can be woven around
every place and this is likely to create a stronger impact. And now, thanks to
advanced story telling techniques, it will be easier and cheaper to make films
in this state. National filmmakers could look to Telanagana as a viable film
destination, instead of shooting overseas and similarly international films
would find this a good place. Cross-cultural films could also be made with the
ethnic richness of the place,” reiterates Dulam.
To keep true to its promise, the state government has
already charted a grandiose plan for a Cinema City on the scale of Universal
Studios in a 2000-acre space near Raj Kondo Fort, close to the capital,
Hyderabad. The project is likely to come through in three years. Similarly, a
Telangana Film and TV School is also on the anvil.
