A Division Bench of the Kerala High Court has directed the State authorities to ensure that its earlier order directing the police to regulate film shoots in the heritage areas in Fort Kochi based on the guidelines issued by the District Collector was adhered to.
The court issued the directive on a petition filed by the office-bearers of Fort Kochi Town Residents Association and some residents seeking a directive to formulate guidelines for film shoots in Fort Kochi heritage area to ensure that it did not disrupt normal life.
They also sought restrictions on film shoots during the peak tourist season.
Alleged trespassing
The petitioners submitted that as the heritage properties did not have any boundary walls, shooting crew were trespassing into private properties of residents and were committing acts of nuisance.
Earlier order
They pointed out that a Division Bench had earlier issued a direction for regulating film shoots on a petition filed by Burgher Street Residents Association.
Sets were often erected on the doorsteps of residential homes besides temporarily barricading roads, they said.
The court issued a notice to the Ernakulam District Collector, Kochi Corporation Secretary, Kerala Film Producers Association and Malayalam Cine Technicians Associations (Macta) in this regard.