Maha Plans Film City At Ramtek, Kalidasa Biopic To Boost Tourism

Nagpur: Maharashtra govt will develop the state's third film city near Navargaon in Ramtek and support a film on classical Sanskrit poet Kalidasa as part of an effort to turn the historic town into a cultural and tourism hub, state CM Devendra Fadnavis announced on Friday during his budget speech.The initiative forms part of the state's development plans for Vidarbha and will be implemented alongside Phase-2 of the Ramtek Development Plan, which aims to strengthen tourism infrastructure and preserve the region's historical heritage. Govt officials said the state also proposed that filmmaker Sanjay Leela Bhansali produce a film on Kalidasa in Ramtek, a move intended to highlight the region's historical connection with the poet and attract visitors. The proposal was discussed during the Advantage Vidarbha event last month by minister of state for finance and planning Ashish Jaiswal. Fadnavis said the project seeks to highlight Ramtek's deep cultural association with Kalidasa. "Govt plans to make a movie on the renowned poet so that new generations would know about his life and writings," he said. Officials said the proposed film city will come up on around 60 acres of land near Navargaon. The state instructed the Nagpur district administration to expedite the transfer of land so that work on the project can begin. The project is expected to provide modern infra for film production, including shooting facilities and post-production support, while encouraging regional cinema and creative industries in Vidarbha. Ramtek has long been associated with Kalidasa, whose celebrated Sanskrit poem Meghdootam is believed to be inspired by the landscapes of the region. Authorities believe that showcasing this cultural legacy through cinema could significantly boost tourism. Alongside the film city, the govt plans to roll out the second phase of the Ramtek Development Plan, which will focus on improving connectivity, tourism facilities and heritage conservation around the town's religious and historical landmarks. Officials added that the combined projects aim to position Ramtek as an emerging centre for film production and heritage tourism in Maharashtra.