Himachal attempts to woo Bollywood

Himachal Pradesh, which has formed the backdrop of many a hit movie in the past, is stepping up plans to hard sell its natural beauty to Bollywood film makers by formulating a comprehensive plan that will make it easier for them to shoot in the state.

The Department of Tourism is preparing a half-an-hour audio-video cassette, Himachal Through Films, comprising clippings of all the movies shot in the beautiful locations of the state, said Commissioner cum Managing Director of Himachal Tourism Development Corporation Tarun Shridhar.

The highlight of the plan is collecting fee for shooting at one place (the tourism department) to spare filmmakers from the trouble of running from pillar to post to get clearances from different departments.

As part of its market strategy, the department has been participating in film festivals and other programmes on film and television to disseminate information about the state, he said.

The department officials participated in the international film festival in Goa in November last year and also put up a Himachal stall to provide comprehensive information about the state to the film personalities.

The state government is also extending hospitality to units of film, TV serials and music albums shot in the hill state or those having Himachal as its theme, Shridhar said.

Citing the example of Singapore, which spent about Rs 6 crore in providing facilities for shooting of the Hrithik Roshan starrer Krishh, Shridhar said the film, in return, made Singapore a popular destination for shooting. Singapore has been the locale for many Bollywood movies after the success of Krishh.

Besides Shimla and Kullu in the state, he said Chamba, Dalhousie, Dharamsala and Nahan have been selected for film and TV shooting.

Popular scenes in Bollywood hits Taal, Border and Black were shot in different locations in Himachal Pradesh.

Officials from the motion picture industry, individual filmmakers and TV serial producers have been consulted on ways for promoting Himachal as a favourable destination for shooting, he said adding the hill state could enhance its revenue through cinematic tourism.

"Nature has endowed Himachal with abundant beauty. The state can cash in on it by attracting film tourism to the state," he said.