Kolkata: Tollywood may now get single-window clearance for film shoots, mandatory drop-offs for female actors after night shoots, and call cards issued three days before shooting starts. On Wednesday, BJP MLA Papiya Adhikary, who defeated Trinamool's Aroop Biswas, was felicitated by technicians at Technicians' Studio. She outlined these plans and sprinkled Gangajal in Swarup Biswas's office to 'cleanse' it before entering.
'There was 'paap' all around. People have been thrown out of work. There was financial mishandling. We have to find where Biswas hid the Rs 75 lakh whose accounts he refuses to show,' Adhikary said.
She said industry workers want jobs and Bengal's shooting potential had been blocked for 15 years by bans and rules. 'There is so much geographical diversity in Bengal, and yet, no one could come and shoot here in the last 15 years. These people were banning industry workers and implementing rules that forced others to avoid Bengal. We need job opportunities, and also make this state shooting-friendly for others,' she added.
Adhikary alleged payments were demanded at multiple stages of shooting, including by police, councillors and traffic personnel. 'Cops can be informed for shoots at private homes, but why should councillors be paid?' she asked.
Call cards, she said, have to be given three days in advance. 'This system was in place earlier. Last-minute call times disrupt commitments,' she said. She questioned why Bengali films have to be screened in prime time and raised objections to the screening committee. 'Is there any point in forcing a hall owner to screen a Bengali film instead of 'Dhurandhar'? Why force Bengali films to put up this challenge?' she asked.
Nandan's screening panel has come under scanner. 'It reviewed films before censor certification. The panel would see it if allies were in the cast. The rot has set deep,' she said.
