Mysuru: It is more than three years since former chief minister
Siddaramaiah announced the creation of an ‘International Film City’ in Himmavu village in
Mysuru district, which is a part of the Varuna constituency that the former CM represented for a decade. However, although 110 acres were earmarked in the village for the ambitious project, the project got delayed as Tourism department sought possession of land instead taking the land on lease and create
film city.
On the other hand, a proposal made by CM HD
Kumaraswamy in his budget to start a film city in
Ramanagara has triggered speculation of the project being realised in Mysuru city. Consequently, Siddaramaiah, who is also the head of the Congress-JD(S) coordination committee wrote to Kumaraswamy asking him not to shift the film city out of Mysuru.
One of the major reasons being cited for the delay is that, while the Siddaramaiah-led government was supposed to clear the decks but got delayed. The land is still with Revenue Department.
Officials in the tourism department say that they have to pay a sum of Rs 2 crore towards lease every year to the government for the past 30 years, with the amount being hiked by 5% every second year, in case they take the land on lease. Cumulatively, that would translate to a sum of Rs 110 crore, which is much higher than the value of the property in question.
On the other hand industries and commerce department, which has expressed reservations over parting with the land, which they had got it in 2008, adding to the confusion surrounding the issue. Sources in the industries department point out that infrastructure in the Adakanahalli Industrial Area, which is contiguous with the 110-acre plot meant for the film city, has been fully developed and that utilising the property in the village would be beneficial to them. “The department had only consented to giving up the property orally, but the original agreement is still valid,” a source said.
‘Ramanagara could house an educational institute’
Former chairman of the Karnataka Chalanachitra Academy SV Rajendra Singh Babu, meanwhile, suggested that a ‘Film City’ could be developed in both the districts – Mysuru and Ramanagara. “There is nothing wrong in having two film cities in the state,” Babu said.
Pointing to Hyderabad and Chennai, which boasted seven and four studios respectively, Babu said, “While the film city in Mysuru should be dedicated exclusively to shooting, the one in Ramanagara could be used as an educational institute. Even the matinee idol Rajkumar had wished to see a Film City being developed in Mysuru. It is a most ideal place with beautiful locations. I will meet CM Kumaraswamy, and convey my feelings on the subject.”
‘More meaningful to have film city in Mysuru’
Varuna MLA Yathindra Siddaramaiah admitted that there was some confusion around shifting the film city out of Mysuru. “In his budget, the CM announced a film school in Ramanagara, not a film city. It will be more meaningful to set up the film city in Mysuru, which has a great climate, rich culture and an airport,” Yathindra said, promising to confer with Kumaraswamy, and taking up the issue with him.
“I will request him to ensure work on the film city starts at the earliest. If the film city becomes a reality, it will help address unemployment in the region,” Yathindra said.
