29 May 2020  |   03:32am IST

Can green-ish Goa, be the next locale for Corona hit Bollywood ?

The virus has stopped everything and the film industry which is one of the largest in the world has also stopped. But now with Goa emerging from the lockdown as relatively in the clear, there is talk of Bollywood producers considering the state as a base to shoot advertising films and web series. This presents a massive opportunity for the state to become a focal point for the industry. Café spoke to people in the industry based in Goa for their views

Ajit John;

When Dil Chahta Hai was released in the country in 2001 everyone was taken in by the manner in which the story was presented as well as the locales where it was shot. Mumbai, Goa, and Australia featured prominently in its scenes. Australia witnessed a surge of interest from Indian tourists but it was Goa which benefitted tremendously. Just forty-five minutes away by flight from Mumbai on a good day, tourism benefitted tremendously. What it also ended up doing was presenting Goa as a possible location for Bollywood movies.

The following years witnessed several blockbuster productions by various major directors like Rohit Shetty who shot his movies here which grossed well over 300 crores in the box office. But it remained just that. A very good location for various film industries in the country to come and shoot. But now with the COVID 19 virus running wild, Goa has an opportunity to become a long-term shooting destination. This could benefit the local industry which involves the massive tiatr industry and a pool of film industry technicians based in the state.

Aniket Naik Director of Amizade said “I have heard of talk on this matter. Everything is shut in Mumbai and films are stopped in mid-production.  You have to understand that Goa is always been the most favourite destination for Bollywood shoots because of scenic location and Goa has a unique sense of being. We as Goans should make complete use of this situation and work in making our own industry so that a lot of people across the globe finds it easier to shoot here. It should be economically feasible to shoot in Goa. We should equip ourselves with top-rate technical equipment”. This he said would benefit the local film industry too. He said “Our technicians should be here in Goa and they will be able to help make good Goan films. This move will help create a pool of technical talent as well as provide jobs to local actors and actresses. In addition, the local taxis and the hotels will earn good money. This was also an opportunity he felt for the local industry to bring in technical equipment which would make the jobs easier for crews coming from outstation.  

Another prominent film producer Rajesh Pednekar said he was aware of film professionals looking to shoot advertisements and web series in Goa.  He said “They are waiting for permissions for these shoots. Unless hotels open, I don’t think permissions will be given. They were also looking for actors, both male and female, from Goa and a lot of auditions are taking place. It is a good thing but like I said it all depends on the government”. He went on to say that a lot of shoots were anyway taking place in Goa not only of Hindi films but also of several other film industries. The expertise, he said locally was not easily available. He said when he made his movies, he would have to hire the services of light people from Kolhapur. He said “The lights are very sophisticated and they have to be handled carefully. Any breakage and it is on you. There is no one in Goa who can handle it. Goa can now give actors and actresses for sure but the other fields will take some time.  When Bollywood comes down, they have so many contractors in Mumbai itself who will organise everything. Locally there is no one like that. But I suppose, one has to give it time, it will happen.”

National award-winning actor Salil Naik said it was quite possible for Goa to become a base for shoots because restrictions were less but in the present situation, he was not aware of the ESG was giving permissions. He said “You can’t shoot with one person, you come with a group of say 25 people and that could create a problem. You have to understand we don’t have the expertise in Goa. These large numbers could pose a problem. But I would certainly like to see Goa emerge as a very important base for not only Bollywood but other film industries too. We have to take advantage of what nature has given us”.

This is an opportunity that has emerged in these strange times and one hopes Goa does not waste it.