AHMEDABAD:
Dhal ni Pol
in Astodia in the
Walled City of Ahmedabad
has been filmmakers’ architectural star, but some residents of the poll no longer want shoots in their area because of the attendant chaos.
The pol’s heritage legacy and its narrow, busy streets present colourful vistas to filmmakers. The pol has been made famous across the globe by many Gujarati and Hindi films including the 2019 biopic “PM Narendra Modi” starring Vivek Oberoi in the PM’s role.
However, now a group of residents of
Dhal
ni Pol say that film shoots cause major traffic jams and drunk crew members ruin the atmosphere. Filmmakers deny these allegations and are ready to boycott Dhal ni Pol and shoot elsewhere.
An application to Ahmedabad Police commissioner signed by 67 residents of Dhal ni Pol has demanded that permissions for film, serial, and advertisement shoots be denied with immediate effect. The residents have written that if the shoots continue they will start an agitation.
“Film crews violate the terms of permission and cause traffic jams because of which women, kids, and elderly people face problems,” the residents’ application says.
“The residents have complained about this repeatedly at the local police station. However, the commissioner’s office issues permits without taking residents’ opinions into account.”
The application goes on to say: “When residents complain, the crew members and the bouncers misbehave with them and threaten them and even beat them.” The application adds: “Crew members violate the Prohibition Act and consume intoxicants openly which spoils kids and is detrimental to the pol culture and traditions.”
However, filmmakers said the complaints are unfounded. “The pol has been made famous across the globe because of its portrayal in films and other visual media,” said executive film producer Dilip Dave. Many of his films have been shot at Dhal ni Pol. They include “Thai Jashe”, “Montu ni Bittu”, and “Suryansh”.
“Film shoots take place with official permission and we ensure that no terms or laws are violated by the film crew,” Dave said.
“Pols are public places and with permissions we have the right to film there.”
Dave added that filmmakers not only take permission from police but also take pol groups into confidence. He said filmmakers pay rents to the owners of houses where shoots take place. He said filmmakers also pay the pol groups. “The government is promoting heritage sites for film shoots,” Dave said. “But a few disgruntled people are trying to raise non-issues.”
Rajesh Sharma, a film director, said: “Pols are congested places and film crews have large vehicles.”
He added: “That may cause temporary traffic issues but production managers are very efficient and solve them in no time.” Sharma shot his Gujarati film “Passport” at Dhal ni Pol.
Sandip Raval, a line producer, said: “Only a few people have been complaining. Other residents don’t have any issues with film shoots.” Raval added: “If they keep creating problems for us though we follow every law, we will be left with no option but to boycott Dhal ni Pol.” He went on to say: “There are many other pols in Ahmedabad and elsewhere.”
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