
In recent years, Gujarat has been quite successful in promoting its popular locations as filming destinations. Now Karnataka wants to do the same.
Karnataka to Promote Film Tourism
Karnataka will be aggressively promoting its scenic locations to tourists and also as film tourism destinations. A film policy is currently being drafted for the same.
Karnataka Department of Tourism has identified hundreds of potential destinations, which will be discussed with Karnataka Film Chamber of Commerce (KFCC), Karnataka Chalanachitra Academy (KCA), Department of Tourism, and Department of Archeaology.
Karnataka also promises a single-window clearance facility, dedicated web portal, footage of locations for international promos, and database of product facilities, hotels, and emergency services.
Scenic Locations in Karnataka
“Karnataka has everything a filmmaker wants, except snow. We have a picturesque 320-km-long coastline, splendid waterfalls, reservoirs, and heritage sites, but these destinations have not been promoted via film tourism. The idea is to also ensure higher footfall in the already identified destinations and to increase commercial activities, including film shooting by extending subsidy and incentives, said Minister for Tourism Priyank Kharge.
Sri. Siddu NyamGowda has done a phenomenal job of rejuvenating a lake & making it tourist attraction. @KarnatakaWorld will contribution 2 Cr pic.twitter.com/RdF1WTzsf6
— Priyank Kharge (@PriyankKharge) July 16, 2017
Films Shot in Karnataka
Bollywood’s iconic film, Ramesh Sipply’s Sholay was shot in Ramanagaram. David Lean shot his Passage to India in Bengaluru and Ramanagaram. Rajinikanth’s every film has a Mysuru location. His film Linga was shot in places around Sagara and Jog Falls. Parts of Jackie Chan’s The Myth was shot at Hampi.
Melkote, Mysuru and Bengaluru have been favourite shooting destinations of filmmaker Mani Ratnam. His Pallavi Anu Pallavi, Thalapathi, Guru, and Raavanan were shot in Bengaluru. He also explored the landscapes of Badami in Guru.
Several Kannada films have been shot in the green surroundings of Jog Falls and Nammoora Mandara Hoove at Yana. More recently, the nondescript village of Nodekopplu in Mandya district shot to national and international acclaim as it served as a set for Raam Reddy’s Thithi. Many visited the village after the film became a great success, turning it into a tourism destination.
Bollywood films such as Coolie, Andha Kanoon, Ghayal, and 3 Idiots were shot in Bengaluru; parts of V. Shantaram’s Jhanak Jhanak Payal Baaje were shot at Brindavan Gardens; Pakeezah and Mard were shot extensively in Mysuru.
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States Trying to Emulate Gujarat
Leading experts in Karnataka feel Karnataka has lost out to several other States in terms of film shooting so far.
Gujarat — with a film tourism policy in place and veteran actor Amitabh Bachchan as brand ambassador — has been successful in attracting filmmakers to Gujarat for filming. The state was also named the most film-friendly State in the 63rd National Film Awards in 2016.
Also Read: Gujarat, most film-friendly state has aggressive plans for Cinema Tourism