Team Herald
PANJIM: The Corporation of City of Panaji (CCP) on Wednesday decided to stop all film shootings in the capital for one-month due to steep spurt in COVID-19 cases.
Among the prominent film producers and directors, who had planned their film shootings in Goa was Mohit Suri, whose earlier Hindi film ‘Malang’ shot in the State last year landed in a controversy for portraying Goa as drugs destination.
Corporation of City of Panaji Deputy Mayor Vasant Agshikar said the decision to stop film shootings was taken amid increasing COVID-19 cases in the State.
He said the residents requested them to either stop or keep on hold the ongoing film shootings to prevent the spread of coronavirus.
Agshikar said the decision to resume film shootings would be taken after reviewing the COVID-19 situation.
The Corporation of City of Panaji had received applications to shoot Hindi film “Ek Villain” on Sunday and another application from a producer for shooting an advertisement film for two days i.e. April 24 and 25.
Several film producers through their line producers had approached the Entertainment Society of Goa (ESG) for film shootings in the touristic State after finding it tough to shoot in Mumbai due to spike in COVID-19 cases.
Film director Mohit Suri had planned shooting of his upcoming film ‘Ek Villain Returns’ starring John Abraham, Arjun Kapoor, Disha Patani, Tara Sutaria and others in Goa on Sunday, April 25.
It may be recalled that Suri’s earlier film ‘Malang” released last year had ignited controversy for portraying Goa in a negative light and as a drug haven.
Following this, Chief Minister Pramod Sawant had said that henceforth the government will ask the ESG to permit shooting of movies only after checking the synopsis of the film and that the film producers will not be allowed to malign the image of the State.
It is learnt that Mohit Suri had so far shot eight films including “Aashiqui 2” as well as “Ek Villain” in Goa.
According to the ESG, the line producer on behalf of the film producer and the director had submitted the synopsis of the new film.
There are 21 line producers registered with the ESG while 14 of them were active seeking permission to shoot films, documentaries, TV serials, advertisement films and web series in the State.
