TV producers considering shooting outside Mumbai

After members of the Allied Mazdoor Union stopped the shooting at Filmcity last week, telly producers are apparently considering shooting their shows outside Mumbai. TV producer Rajan Shahi says, “If this continues, the day is not far when makers will have to think about setting their shows outside Mumbai. Even the broadcasters are now supporting producers if they want to set up their shows outside Mumbai.”
We spoke to a few TV producers about the challenges of making a show outside Mumbai, and which cities can provide an ideal setting for an entire show.
This Goondaism needs to end The existence of several unions complicates things for serial makers, who have to deliver episodes on time to the channel, says Farhan Salaruddin, producer of Beintehaa. “A lot of bad elements have come in and they need to be eradicated. There are rules that state that workers should not work beyond 12 hours, which exist for their betterment. But there are random associations that have cropped up that come on the sets and trouble the producers in the name of protecting the interests of the workers. A lot of goondaism has crept up, which is scary. If this doesn’t stop, there are chances that people might think of moving out of Mumbai. Even broadcasters are supporting producers in the same. Even though it’s not feasible to set a show entirely outside Mumbai, but if we do get into it, we will learn how the economics function. I have seen that Bhopal and Jaipur have become very shooting-friendly destinations. Even Lucknow has become a shooting-friendly city,” adds Salaruddin.
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Currently, we lack infrastructure in other cities Even if a producer decides to set up a show outside Mumbai, he will face trouble while looking for skilled technicians and junior artistes. “The only challenge that confronts you when you start a show in another city is that you have to work doubly hard. You need classified resources and there is also the issue of skilled labour, which is hard to find in other cities. The load on Mumbai is increasing, with so many channels coming up and so many shows being shot here. There is a paucity of good locations, which haven’t already been seen on screen, in Mumbai. So, it is feasible to set a show in another city. You can train people in other cities, and with internet connectivity, there are no problems in sending episodes to channels and getting their approvals. But getting resources will still be a challenge. If we look at places which can be tapped for the TV industry, there are cities like Delhi, Jaipur, Lucknow and Bhopal. There are no extra costs that come with shooting in other cities. For instance, if you put a camera anywhere in Mumbai, you have to pay close to `60,000, whereas if you shoot in Lucknow, the cost is somewhere around `20,000. So, after adding other costs, it ends up being the same amount. Shooting in Mumbai has its pros and cons. If you need a crowd of 2,000 junior artistes within a few hours, it’s easier to get them in Mumbai because you know the people who will get them for you, but it would be difficult if the same situation arises in another city. But all this can be handled if the need to shift shows to other cities arises,” says Sudhir Sharma, who had shot 12/24 Karol Bagh entirely in Delhi and is also planning to come to the capital for another show.
Producer JD Majethia seconds Sharma, and adds, “The Mumbai government has no issues with shooting but it’s the issue of labour unions that poses a problem for TV serial makers. Creatively, people are looking for authenticity in locations. Right now, if I have to show Punjab, instead of creating it in Mumbai, I might as well go and shoot in Punjab. Currently, we lack infrastructure in other cities. It’s been 60 years since Mumbai has been the shooting hub, and most of the channels’ offices are located here, so the interaction is faster. Having said that, channels are giving the freedom to producers to shoot their shows outside Mumbai. Punjab, Delhi, Rajasthan and Gujarat governments have invited TV serial makers to shoot their shows in their states.”
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State governments more welcoming now Makers admit that with the passage of time, shooting permissions are easier to get in other states, but skilled labour continues to be an issue. “Of course, there are problems in Mumbai, but such a situation can also arise anywhere else. Even if the makers have to move out, they should not be doing that just because of this issue. Earlier, the state governments would be wary of giving permissions because they would think that shoots lead to a lot of chaos, but now the state governments have become more welcoming. They understand that when people see various locales of a city in TV shows, they visit those states and that helps tourism. It leads to cultural and economic growth of the state. So, it’s a mutually beneficial partnership, but there are infrastructural issues that need to be addressed, though there are some networks that are working on making shows in Delhi with local talent,” says producer Sumeet Mittal.
Workers in other cities lack professionalism Even as Shahi says that there are other cities that need to be tapped as shooting destinations, he feels that lack of professionalism in artistes outside Mumbai is a huge turn-off for makers. “Since I hail from Delhi and have also shot in the capital, I feel that it has the potential to become a shooting hub. But the only problem is the absence of professionalism. We have observed that there is a lack of professionalism in workers outside Mumbai. They report late to the sets, have an attitude and assume that we will be dependant on them since we have to complete our schedule. For that to happen, the state governments have to show foresightedness and seriousness. They have to realize that there is so much revenue that can be generated from shoots. For their cities to flourish as shooting destinations, there have to ensure that makers get the right kind of infrastructure,” says Shahi, producer of Aur Pyaar Ho Gaya.
Can’t avoid mumbai completely Shooting in other cities might be an option that holds promise, but there are various things to be considered before it happens in totality, says Asit Modi, producer of Taarak Mehta Ka Ooltah Chashmah. “There are difficulties in getting studios in Mumbai because of so many shows are being shot here. However, I feel that you cannot totally avoid Mumbai, since it has been the shooting hub for many years. There are shows that are being made in Punjab, Delhi, MP, but there is still time before the industry shifts outside Mumbai. However, for that to happen, state governments have to come up to TV producers and assure them that they won’t have to face any issues while shooting in their states,” says Modi.
It takes time to adjust to the Climate outside Mumbai The extreme climatic conditions in northern India pose problems for the cast and crew members. “Since we are shooting a daily, we have to get lots of local talent on board when we shoot outside. That is a problem because people outside Mumbai are not clued into what is required of them. The technicians and junior artistes need to be properly told what they need to do. The makers need to be experienced in handling outdoor shoots. Also, the climatic conditions are quite different from Mumbai. In the northern belt, the climate is quite extreme, either it’s too hot or too cold, so the artistes have a tough time adjusting to the climate of those cities,” says producer Imtiaz Punjabi.