Vadodara turns latest Bollywood destination

The rising cost of production in Mumbai's very own Bollywood is pushing the film makers to opt for economical production sites like Vadodara.

The city, lately witnessed hosting of muhurat shot of a Hindi film 'Saazish "� Ek Plan'.

Talking to Business Standard, director of the film Shyam Shah said, "Vadodara has now become a buzz word amongst Bollywood directors, as film can be produced with low cost and that too without compromising the quality."

He added that it is easy for the low budget film makers to cut down the production cost as Vadodara is substantially resourceful location with cost-effective labour, transport and material as compared to Mumbai.

The film will be shot at prime locations in Vadodara, Umargam and Udwada. The entire 30-member crew belongs to Gujarat.

"We have enrolled the best talents of Gujarat from Vadodara, Surat, Jamnagar and Ahmedabad," said Shah.

Even the main character of the film "� Dezan Wadia hails from Vadodara, he added.

M R Khan, proprietor of Col.Khan Films and producer, said, "The city's biggest advantages are the standard facilities and it's proximity to Mumbai".

The main ingredient that is needed to develop a city as a hub of film production houses is the surrounding culture and taste of people which Vadodara provides, opined Khan.

"The outgoing, bold and lively lifestyle of the people is the best breeding ground for developing Vadodara as the film production city," asserted Khan.

If the low budget film is produced in Mumbai the producer has to compromise the quality which is not the case in Vadodara, he informed.

"The film will be ready by June 2006 and would be released in festive season," said Shah. "It will first be released in UK and later in other overseas and Indian market," said Shah.

The budget of the film is approximately rupees one crore.