Letter to the Editor
Sir
This is in reference to a write-up ‘Uttarakhand a Filmmaker’s Paradise’ discussed at Crime Literature Festival, in Garhwal Post dated 1 December 2024. The vision and resolve of Uttarakhand Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami and Uttarakhand Government to make Uttarakhand a film friendly state and placing Uttarakhand state on the best shooting locations’ map and great filming experience is commendable.
For the last couple of years, the aggressive and positive propagation of this vision of ‘Film Friendly State’ is really heartening and a very progressive step towards making Uttarakhand a world class destination for regional, national and international film projects. Be it the new ‘Film Policy’ to holistically simplify permissions and shooting processes, offering attractive Rs 3 crore subsidy for projects being shot exclusively in Uttarakhand, promotional events at International Film Festival of India (IFFI) or brain storming sessions in ‘Pravasi Uttarakhandi Sammelan’ is very encouraging and a progressive step towards making Uttarakhand a great film destination akin to Switzerland.
But there ‘exist’ certain barriers and predicaments, which need to be addressed to fine tune the aim of making Uttarakhand State a ‘Model Filming Destination’. I am sanguine to the information as an actor (after my superannuation from the Indian Army, I chose to pursue my passion of acting and creativity) that ‘Uttarakhand Film Development Council’ under the aegis of CEO Bansidhar Tiwari, who adorns several hats, is in the process of preparing a data bank of film professionals in Uttarakhand, which needs to be hastened to authenticate and register the actors, technicians and other professionals. The single window permission system has been a boon for film makers. However, there is a need to nip in the bud, the mushrooming of pseudo film professionals who may give a bad name to the Uttarakhand State in general and Uttarakhand State Development Council in particular, by their unprofessional dealings with the visiting film units and professionals. There exist some so called, local film professionals/ coordinators such as casting coordinators, line producers and self styled film coordinators, who need to be identified and should be put on the scanner for their unethical and unprofessional dealings (who, unfortunately exist…sic). Exploitation of local actors and professionals and guest film makers through various dubious means by such opportunists and filmy quacks, aiming to make a fast buck, needs to be reined in time, lest they give a bad name to our film fraternity and ‘Brand Uttarakhand’.
Also, the actors, technicians, and other administrative units, providing various facilities to the visiting film makers, need to be protected from unethical practices and professionals with dubious intentions. Financial irregularities in terms of tax evasions, and other unethical practices, should be monitored. Also, the visiting film units ‘Should Not’ exploit the local artists and professionals by low-balling their genuine payments and taking undue advantage of voiceless actors and the film community of Uttarakhand, who are simple, creative people with aspirations to carve a niche in films and performing arts. Their interests and just remunerations should be safeguarded at all costs. Artists, film technicians and professionals connected with film activities, (even providing their premises for shoots), should be heard and form part of an association/committee that tackles real-time issues. Of course, the aim of UFDC is to provide a level playing field to the artists and film professionals of Uttarakhand and also to film makers from Mumbai and elsewhere. Regular feedbacks from local artists and outside film units is the need of the hour for checks and balances. Symbiotic relationship between local film professionals, visiting film makers and the regulatory authority UFDC shall go a long way in making Uttarakhand the most preferred film shooting location in India and across the world. Fine tuning of systems and processes in film related activities under the umbrella of Uttarakhand Film Development Society, should be undertaken on priority basis. The establishment of a film city with world class facilities shall finally go a long way in mitigating problems and issues regarding all aspects of film making and creative issues.
Yours etc.,
Col Bhaskar Bharti (Retd)
