Dehradun: Bollywood actor Akshay Kumar met Uttarakhand Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami at his official residence in Dehradun on Sunday to discuss ways to promote film production in the state.
The meeting comes as Kumar is shooting for his upcoming film in Mussoorie and the Landour area. During the courtesy visit, the actor and the Chief Minister discussed Uttarakhand’s film policy, the scope for more film projects in the state and measures to encourage the film industry.
According to an official statement, the discussions focused on the state’s potential as a film-shooting destination and ways to make it more attractive to filmmakers.
Dhami said Uttarakhand has emerged as a preferred location for film shoots because of its natural beauty, cultural heritage, varied landscape and film-friendly environment. The state’s mountains, valleys, rivers and scenic surroundings offer a range of backdrops for filmmakers.
Uttarakhand Film Policy Offers Incentives to Filmmakers
The Chief Minister said the Uttarakhand Film Policy-2024 was producing positive results and that film shoots in the state had helped strengthen its reputation as a filming destination.
Under the policy, filmmakers can access facilities such as shooting permissions through a single-window system. Financial grants have also been provided for eligible film productions to encourage more projects in the state.
The government aims to attract additional film shoots while making the process easier for production teams, the official statement said.
Film Industry Expected to Support Local Jobs and Tourism
Dhami said the government’s objective extends beyond bringing film crews to Uttarakhand. It also wants to create employment and self-employment opportunities for local artists, technicians and young people.
Film production can also support businesses beyond the entertainment industry. Increased shooting activity benefits tourism, hotels and hospitality services, transport operators and other local businesses that provide services to film crews.
The state government reiterated its commitment to extending support to filmmakers interested in shooting in Uttarakhand.
With its varied natural landscapes and cultural heritage, the state is seeking to strengthen its position as a film production destination. Greater production activity could also help bring more visitors to filming locations and create additional work for people living in the region.