Filming in India to become easier

The film industry's biggest producers recently approached the Minister of State for Information and Broadcasting Rajyavardhan Singh Rathore. Names like Mukesh Bhatt, Siddharth Roy Kapur and Vishal Bhardwaj were part of the delegation seeking a solution to difficulties faced in shooting films on streets and in key public places in India.

One accusation made was that sections of the administration were seeking bribes before granting permission to shoot at areas like airports and railway stations.

Playback singer and himself a Minister of State, Babul Supriyo accompanied the producers' delegation. He said the meeting was highly fruitful and that, "Mr Rathore assured the delegation that their problems would be looked into."

Supriyo expressed shame that the producers had to face red-tapism for simple permissions. He said, "How can we generate interest in our country if our films are not shot here because producers prefer to shoot abroad where getting such permissions is far easier?"

Sources close to the Ministry say Rathore assured the Bollywood delegation that the problems pertaining to shooting at these locations, would be looked into very seriously.

When asked what capacity he accompanied the delegation, Supriyo said he did so in a humanitarian and film-related capacity. "I am a part of the film industry and am now a minister in the current government. If the industry needs me to connect their problems with the government, I will gladly do so," he said, clarifying, "However, I am not a mediator between the film industry and the government."