A deal between playback singer Lata Mangeshkar and a local builder Vivek Oswal for developing a residential-cum- commercial complex around the 'Jayprabha Studio' has been halted by the Kolhapur Municipal Corporation (KMC) by a resolution to reserve the area for a multi-purpose cultural centre and public garden and to compensate Lata Mangeshkar. | |
| Even after the resolution, the builder continued with work on the site when the KMC members opposed it, but KMC Commissioner Kunal Kumar backed the builder on the pretext that the work concerned only roads and drains and was provisionally sanctioned. |
| |
| But the members insisted that if the KMC passed the resolution that no work should be continued. When the members continued alleging that the KMC may have some vested interest in the deal, the work was stopped. |
| |
| The KMC had passed a resolution reserving the studio and the area around it owned by Lata Mangeshkar. |
| |
| But even before the expiry of one month, in response to a letter from Lata Mangeshkar to the chief minister, the state urban development department issued an order abrogating KMC's resolution. |
| |
| While the sudio should be preserved as a monument of the film industry, the area around it should be allowed to be developed as a residential and commercial complex as desired Ms Mangeshkar. |
| |
| The state government's action created commotion in various socio-political and cultural constituents in this region. The government's action following a letter by Lata was criticised as a discriminatory response to a celebrity while common citizens' demands or applications are ignored. |
| |
| The moment the government's decision in favour of Ms Mangeshkar was received, builder Oswal who held the power of attorney for Lata decided to continue construction and wrote to the KMC asking for the immediate sanction of the plan and follow the government's order. |
| |
| The threats in the letter irked KMC members who decided to act against the builder and sought legal opinion if criminal prosecution is possible in the case. |
| |
| The KMC's legal cell submitted the letter lowering the prestige the KMC can be a case for criminal prosecution against the builder who tendered an apology for the threatening tone in the letter. |
| |
| KMC had decided to reserve the area around the 'Jayprabha Studio' and develop it as a multi-purpose cultural centre for the Marathi film industry. The KMC has now submitted the fresh resolution for the state government's approval and cancellation of the earlier order in favour of Lata Mangeshkar under provisions of Section 451 of the Bombay Municipal Corporation Act. |
| |
| However, the all-party action committee has put forward a broader demand that the pending project of the Chitranagari for which 75 acres has been preserved on the outskirt of Kolhapur should be developed by the state and the two studios in the city "" 'Jayprabha' and the 'Shalini studio' owned by Maharaja of Dewas should be acquired and they should be combined with the Chitranagari project to make the whole project well-equipped for both indoor and outdoor shooting and for Marathi, Hindi and other languages. |
| |
| This demand is more sound and worth responding by the government in view of concentration of film production in Mumbai where studios are not easily available due to rush. |
| |
| The Chitranagari, with the two studios having high tradition and historical significance will be a good alternative not only for Marathi and Hindi films but also for films being produced in south India. |
| |
|
| |
