Special mention as 'best film-friendly state' delights UP

The Uttar Pradesh government on Monday reacted with happiness to its special mention as the "best film-friendly state" during the 63rd National Film Awards.

Vice-chairman of the UP Film Development Council, Gaurav Dwivedi told IANS that the recognition of the state's efforts to provide a conducive and hassle-free environment for film shoots "was an encouraging development which will enable us to do more".

"There have been a host of initiatives in the past four years taken by the state government at the behest of Chief Minister Akhilesh Yadav and we will up the ante in future as well," Dwivedi said, adding that the shoots of regional and Bollywood films had gone up considerably.

The Film Policy unveiled by the state government and subsidy to films has also been received well by the film fraternity and I'm sure that in times to come Uttar Pradesh will be the most preferred destination for both Bollywood and regional film makers as well, Dwivedi said.

More than 100 film makers have applied for subsidy under the Film Policy, informed an official, adding that most of the proposals are being considered at the highest level.