Film Namaste London creates controversy, shoots without permission

rajugusain

Raju Gusain
Rishikesh, September 29
Vipul Shah's film 'Namaste London' has provoked a controversy in the hill state. The one-day shooting of this Indo-British project concluded here on Thursday.
The shooting of 'Namaste London' was done at Laxman Jhula and other locations in the holy township was done illegally, without any approval from the District Administration.
According to the new regulation adopted here, (UP Government: GO 95/MK/78 Vidhi, dated 29 September, 1979) a film maker has to apply for permission from the DM's office three months in advance, from the actual day of shootings. He also has to deposit a security deposit. An official of the District
Entertainment Office has to accompany the production team at the shooting sites. The Producer also has to submit a synopsis of the film to the DM's office.
The production team of 'Namaste London', with a star cast like Akshay Kumar, Katrina Kaif, Rishi Kapoor and British actor Jason Connery, production team never thought it important to seek the District Magistrate's permission. No security deposit was
submitted.
The crew paid a brief visit to shoot at Laxman Jhula, Trimbekshwer temple and a few shots on a ferry boat. According to reports, the production team is likely to be shooting in Hardwar on Friday.
On this, Chandan Singh, District Entertainment Officer, confirmed, "Yes, the 'Namaste London' team has not taken any permission from the District Magistrate's office." But he refused to say whether action would be taken against the crew.
When asked, Indu Kumar Pandey, Secretary Finance, told HT, "Our department comes into the picture only when the film maker is seeking entertainment tax exemption. Otherwise it is purely an issue to do with the district administration. "
In fact it is a routine practice among film makers here to violate the existing norms. Even in May, this year, the shooting of Ekta Kapoor's popular soap 'Kyunki Saas Bhi Kabhi Bahu Thi' took place illegally in Rishikesh. And, the District Administration remained a mute spectator.
But, as far as small local producers are concerned, the DM's office appears keen to impose the same regulation with the utmost strictness.
Making this charge, Narendra Singh Negi, the renowned folk singer said, "All are equal before law. The administration is adopting a step-motherly approach to small VCD film makers from Uttaranchal and are sparing the big film makers. This is unjust."
The case clearly indicates the local administration is interested only in catching minnows and sparing the whales. But, it remains to be seen what action the District Administration will take against the 'Namaste London' crew.

HINDUSTAN TIMES
September 30, 2006
New Delhi edition

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Nick-H

well, what's the point of all these permissions?

If it just so that beaurocrats can insert their sticky fingers into the pie, then good for the film makers for ignoring them.

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Just one member of the IndiaMike Mod Team

crvlvr

whats the big deal? Well they might ban the film in UP.

rajugusain

Censor Board disagrees with U’chal Govt’s curbs on film making by locals
Raju Gusain
Dehradun, 11 Oct: The Censor Board of India has expressed surprise at the recent order of the Uttaranchal Government to regulate film and VCD making in the hill state.
The Entertainment Tax Department recently implemented a Government Order based allegedly on the Cinematography Act 1952. Local film makers allege that the State Government has introduced this unlawful order after a satirical musical VCD lashed out at its performance. The album created waves in the market causing severe embarrassment to the Tiwari led government.
According to the Government Order, a film maker has to apply for permission from the District Magistrate three months prior to the shooting. He or she would also have to submit a security deposit ranging from Rs 2000 to Rs 2 lakhs. An Entertainment Tax Sub Inspector is also supposed to always accompany the shooting team at the locations. The department would refund the security deposit after one month of completing the shooting schedule.
The Entertainment Tax Officials claim that the Cinematography Act 1952 permits the district administration to impose restrictions on film makers.
Vinay Azad, Regional Officer of the Censor Board of India (Mumbai), has refuted this. “Censorship is not a state but a central government issue. The Cinematography Act 1952 has no provision for State Government on regulating film makers. The film makers need to take their permission. Besides this the Cinematography Act 1952 does not permit the local administration to impose any security deposit,” he said.
The District Administration can ban a film, even after it gets the Censor Board of India’s certificate, on ground of law and order. But, the local administration cannot interfere in post production of the film nor undertake pre-censorship. This does not mean the film makers can shoot at any location he wishes to capture in his camera. The District Administration can take action when the security of the state is jeopardized by any filmmaker.
However, the District Entertainment Department has its own claims. Incidentally, this act came into operation here only after renowned folk singer Narendra Negi’s musical VCD ‘Nauchami Narayan’ set up new sales records in Uttaranchal. The musical album makes a satirical attack on the functioning of the Tiwari Government. In a move to impose undeclared censorship on Uttaranchal filmmakers, the State Government has introduced the unlawful Government Order.
Filmmaker Anil Bisht, says, “The State Government should help filmmakers with additional facilities. It is sad that the new regulation is not filmmaker friendly. It is nothing but red tape!”
The other side of the story is that the Uttaranchal Government is implementing the new regulation most strictly only on local filmmakers. Recently, the shooting of an Indo British venture ‘Namaste London’ took place at Rishikesh on 28 September without any permission from the DM’s office. Similarly, in May this year, the shooting of Ekta Kapoor’s popular soap ‘Kyunki Saas Bhi Kabhi Bahu Thi’ was done at Rishikesh without any permission and deposit from the serial maker. The District Administration has so far taken no action against these big production houses. The dual attitude clearly indicates that something is fishy in local filmdom. And it is not a healthy sign for Uttaranchal because not many filmmakers will opt to shoot in Uttaranchal after all these regulations and ‘Babugiri’ become known.

Garhwal Post
www.garhwalpost.com
October 13, 2006