Filmmakers to furnish declaration on not spoiling Goa`s image

Panaji: Post `Dum Maro Dum` controversy, the state-run Entertainment Society of Goa (ESG) has decided not to allow any shooting in the tourist hotspot without a declaration from filmmakers that the film will not spoil the image of the state.

More than 1,000 days of film shoots are recorded in Goa, mostly on the beaches or in the Portuguese-era mansions, and this trend has seen a upward graph. ESG`s Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Manoj Srivastava said "It has now been made mandatory that permission to shoot will be given only after brief synopsis of the film and also a declaration assuring that the movie will not spoil image of Goa, is furnished." Srivastava said the state government is wary about filmmakers portraying state`s image or culture in the negative light. "The idea is to be little cautious. While we welcome everyone, we should not be taken for granted that you can do anything in Goa," said the CEO of ESG, which offers single window clearance for shooting in the state. The state has been asking for synopsis of the movie shot, since last two years. Banners like Yashraj Films or Ashtavinayak Productions, which have shot their films in the state have respected the state`s regulation by offering the film synopsis and declaration before the shooting. Goa has recently seen big banner films like `Singham`, `Murder-2` and `Ladies versus Ricky Bahl` being shot here. Recently, the ESG was taken aback after reports here claimed that a film `Anjuna Beach`, supposedly portraying the real-time story of British teenager Scarlet Eden Keeling, was shot in Goa for ten days, without permission. Srivastava said if it is proved that they shot without permission, a FIR can be filed against them in the police as they have committed an offence by skipping the mandatory shooting fee payable to the state. ESG charges Rs 10,000 per day as fee for the film shooting, of which Rs 3,000 is given for the local panchayat, where the films are shot. Rohan Sippy`s `Dum Maro Dum` had kicked up a storm in Goa after it was alleged that the film potrayed the state in bad light. PTI