Quick nod for film shoots ups Railways’ revenue

[1]

Keeping in mind the increasing demands of film shootings at railway stations and inside the trains, both Central and Western Railway have opened a “single window” to provide hassle-free clearance for film shootings. Production houses and filmmakers are happy with this arrangement and it has resulted in increased revenue generation for the railways as well.
Central Railway has earned 72 per cent more revenue after it started granting permission for film shootings. The CR earned `61.53 lakh in the year 2011-12, while this figure went up to `105.76 lakh in the year 2012-13. In the course of this year, films like Shootout at Wadala, Ramaiya Vastavaiya, The Launch Box, Chennai Express, Gunday, Himmatwala, Once Upon a Time in Mumbai 2 have been shot in the CR premises.
Gundey paid CR `23.96 lakh, Once Upon a Time in Mumbai 2 paid `21.16 lakh. “Earlier it used to take 10 to 15 days, but we are now issuing permissions in three to five days and this move has been welcomed by filmmakers,” said Subodh Jain, GM, CR.
Western Railway also got a quantum leap in its revenue due to fast-track permissions for shootings. WR earned `86 lakh in 2011.
It has gone up to `1.48 crore in 2012. Kai Po Che, Bodyguard, Force, Aatma, Razzo, Once upon a time in Mumbai 2 and D-day were shot in different WR locations. Apart from films, there have been many ads, promotional events and documentary films. Sharat Chandrayan, chief PRO, WR said, “We ensure that we give permission within 3-5 days and we try to maintain a good rapport with production houses. It is a very good source of additional revenue.”