Raipur’s Chitrotpala studio complex is buzzing with promise after Saturday’s foundation laying for a massive 100-acre Film City. Industry heavyweights converged, but it was Anil Sharma—architect of ‘Gadar’—who set the tone with his expansive vision.
“Picture this as India’s Film City, not just Raipur’s,” Sharma urged the crowd. “Commit to realizing this on celluloid, building a grand industry for Chhattisgarh and beyond—welcoming talents from Uttar Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh, Rajasthan, and all Hindi-speaking domains.”
He rooted the idea in local strengths: Raipur’s eternal tribal heritage and melodies. Madhya Pradesh’s cinephiles, he recalled, have idolized films from ‘Gadar’ to ‘Vanvas.’ “This region’s artistic souls demand a Film City to channel their passion productively.”
Sharma spotlighted the influx it would trigger: crews from Punjab, Odisha, Kolkata, Mumbai flocking for shoots. “Like pilgrims to sacred sites or shoppers to jewel markets, filmmakers will journey here for premium setups—provided the infrastructure supports them flawlessly.”
Weighing in on digital frontiers, he pushed for OTT censorship akin to films: “Uniform standards are crucial.” As construction begins, Raipur’s Film City harbors the potential to elevate India’s film sector to unprecedented heights, merging heartland narratives with pan-Indian and global appeal.