The Fact News Service
Chandigarh, May 9
The Bollywood artists participating in the third edition of Chandigarh Music and Film Festival (CMFF) 2023 backed the campaign initiated by Chandigarh Welfare Trust (CWT) and Chandigarh University (CU) for the establishment of a film city in Chandigarh and voiced that the film city here will promote the young talent of the region.
Renowned filmmakers and artists from the Hindi and Punjabi film industries are participating in the three-day festival being organized by CWT in association with Chandigarh University. The festival began with a grand opening ceremony on Sunday (May 7) that was attended by Satnam Singh Sandhu, founder of Chandigarh Welfare Trust (CWT) and chancellor of Chandigarh University (CU).
The festival aimed to project Chandigarh as a hub of the entertainment industry in north India and advocate the need for a film city here. The second day of the festival (Monday) saw talk shows of renowned artists and film screenings at the CU campus.
The renowned artists echoed that Chandigarh, due to its unique location and aspiring talent in the region, should have its film city that will create a platform for aspiring artists and will create more jobs. The city has all the ingredients that can be showcased through films.
The star-studded event saw the participation of big names such as Rakul Preet Singh, a Bollywood Actress; Yashpal Sharma, a Hindi and Punjabi film actor, and theatre Artist; Rajendra Gupta, Actor, and Director; Vinay Pathak, Theatre and Film Actor; Gavie Chahal, Hindi, and Punjabi Actor; Rakesh Bedi, Actor; Ketan Anand, Film Director; Binnu Dhillon, Punjabi actor; Shamsher Sandhu, Lyricist; Sachin Ahuja, music producer, and composer; Charanjit Ahuja, Music Artist; Bal Mukand Sharma, Actor; Ratan Aulakh, Actor; Manjeet Nikki, Singer; Kiran Kaur, Singer; and B.B Verma, scriptwriter.
CWT founder and chancellor of Chandigarh University (CU), Satnam Singh Sandhu said, “The Indian film industry is the world’s largest film production industry, with over 3000 films being made annually in 20 languages. Indian cinema made a record collection of Rs. 10,000 crores globally in 2022. 20 Indians have been nominated for the Academy Awards, out of which 10 have won the prestigious Oscar award. The Indian animation and visual effects industry commands around 10% of the global market share and has the potential of grabbing about 20-25% by 2025. So, the focus should be laid on efforts to make India a global content creation hub.”
“Chandigarh must have its own film city that will facilitate filmmaking and promote content based on the culture of the region. If a film city will be set up in Chandigarh, it will boost the industry and provide new opportunities to aspiring talent. We have initiated the campaign for the establishment of a film city in Chandigarh and I will take up this matter with UT administration, central government, and the film industry as well,” said Satnam Singh Sandhu.
Renowned theatre and film actor, Vinay Pathak said that Bollywood has widely used the Punjabi culture, and legendary writers like Balwant Gargi have risen from Punjab and given meaningful content to a huge audience through their works. “I also began my acting career with a Punjabi movie, and I stress the need for a film city in the region to promote cultural art and cinema without any difficulties. However, it is extremely shocking to know that Chandigarh which is so rich in culture, modernity, art, and entertainment, does not have a film city of its own yet,” said Vinay Pathak, while adding that the idea of making a film city in Chandigarh is a great initiative by Chandigarh University and it should be done as soon as possible.
Rakesh Bedi, a renowned film and television actor said that Punjabi regional cinema is already recognized at the global level. “If trained artists are available in the region, more work can be done from here. Educational institutions should prepare trained manpower and a variety of subjects should be offered in film studies so that artists can create enriched content that will not have any boundaries and barriers,” said Rakesh Bedi, adding that OTT platforms have really helped in broadening the scope and reach of the variety of the content.
Yashpal Sharma, a popular actor, director, and Producer, said, “Chandigarh is a well-connected city and serves as a gateway for the neighboring states and a film city here can be of great advantage for this region. Being the first planned city of India, Chandigarh can be the best depiction of modern India in films, when we need to show modern India. The city also offers a wide range and the best locations for films. A variety of spots here are an advantage for film shoots.”
“Chandigarh is a city with global name and fame that gives you an edge if you shoot a film here,” Yashpal Sharma added.
Meanwhile, Bollywood actress Rakul Preet Singh emphasized that if the regional cinema grows, the quality of work and the content being provided to the audience will improve.
“As much as the film industry grows, the popularity of Indian cinema will eventually increase at a global level. Regional cinema provides a platform for young aspiring talent, and it also ensures a good connection with the region, its culture, traditions, and art,” she said.
She further said that there is so much hype about the difference in industries, but all that differs is the quality of the work being done. “Whether it is the post-production or any technician work, the process is the same at all levels, be it regional, national, or international cinema,” Rakul Preet Singh said.
