Harness UP’s rich cultural backdrop in films: IMPPA head abhay sinha
Mumbai, Uttar Pradesh’s diverse array of religious landmarks and heritage locations serve as excellent filming destinations. The state’s rich cultural backdrop presents valuable opportunities that cinema producers should consider utilising for their productions, said Abhay Sinha, the president of Indian Motion Pictures Producers’ Association (IMPPA), on Saturday.
Visiting the Film Bandhu Uttar Pradesh’s pavilion stall at the World Audio Visual and Entertainment Summit (WAVES) in Mumbai, Sinha said: “I have made several movies in the picturesque locations of Uttar Pradesh… I appeal to all filmmakers to visit the state for film shoots.”
“In fact, Lord Shiva’s abode Kashi holds significant potential for film shootings due to its rich history, spiritual significance and architectural beauty. The holy city features numerous sacred locations that have been captured on celluloid. These religious destinations have served as filming locations for various cinematic productions,” he added.
During the day, Prasar Bharati chairman Navneet Sehgal, Manoj Bajpayee-starrer ‘Bhaiyya Ji’ producer Vinod Bhanushali and ‘Neem ka Ped’ serial producer Nawman Malik, among other directors and producers visited the pavilion.
Actor Rajkummar Rao also visited the stall on Friday.
Sehgal, former Film Bandhu UP chairman, said: “My sincere appeal to directors, producers and actors to explore Uttar Pradesh for film shoots and avail the benefit of film subsidy offered by the state govt.” He said Uttar Pradesh has become a hub of film shoots under the Yogi govt, which is gaining much traction from filmmakers. In 2024-25, a grant of about Rs 17.6 crore was distributed to 48 films by Film Bandhu to lure filmmakers to the state.
The Film Bandhu Uttar Pradesh’s pavilion stall is making heads turn at Jio World Convention Centre at Bandra in Mumbai that is hosting Waves 2025 from May 1-4.
The event has brought together officials from 33 countries, industry leaders and eminent filmmakers.
Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath’s lucrative film subsidy policy is the spotlight at the inaugural summit that aims to position India as a global media, entertainment and creative innovation hub.
Talking to Gyan Arya, head assistant, Film Bandhu, said: “Visitors are stopping at the stall and enquiring about the beautiful locations of Uttar Pradesh displayed on the wall.”
