Film city coming up in Kolhapur: Chavan

Mumbai: Maharashtra Chief Minister Prithviraj Chavan Wednesday stressed on adopting new technology and said that the state is trying to facilitate filmmakers with alternate locations for shoots.

He felt regional media and filmmaking is creating a lot of excitement the state is, therefore, trying to create alternate locations for film shoots. "A filmcity in Kolhapur (in southern Maharashtra) will come with a lot of financial incentive to work in that city," he said while speaking at inugural of the 13th edition of the three-day global convention FICCI-FRAMES. Talking about the use of technology, he said: "A huge employment opportunity has been created in a lot of areas in entertainment. We have to begun to use power of technology to educate our people via broadband, internet. Digitalisation will hence create a more equal society." "This will ensure that growth is not lopsided and inclusive, that that benefits go to each and every person living in the country," he added. Chavan, however, pointed out that regulation is major challenge and that there will be issues in the roadmap ahead of digitalisation. "If we don`t get it right, a huge opportunity will go to waste. There will be issues of piracy," he said. He also conceded that the government system promises a lot here, but we have not been able to deliver. "There will also be issues of copyright, serious issues of code of conduct about media, particularly the news media," he said. Chavan assured that the state government will protect any creative attempt within the framework of law and will not let any fascist elements to take over and obstruct creativity. The 13th edition of the three-day global convention FICCI-FRAMES kicked off here as top names from the media and entertainment including filmmaker Karan Johar, actress Sonam Kapoor, Chavan, CEO of Star India Uday Shankar and Chairman of Motion Pictures Association of America (MPAA) Senator Chris Dodd lit the inaugural lamp. A report by FICCI and KPMG was also released on the occasion that said that the media and entertainment sector is set to grow at the rate of 15 percent over the next five years. IANS