It’s not just the tourism industry which has suffered the brunt of suspension of flights
to Himachal, but according to sources with Bollywood film units, big banner movies having big stars are
cancelling their shooting plans in Manali, which is reachable only after 10
hours exhausting road journey from Chandigarh airport.
to Himachal, but according to sources with Bollywood film units, big banner movies having big stars are
cancelling their shooting plans in Manali, which is reachable only after 10
hours exhausting road journey from Chandigarh airport.
According to sources, no flight has been operated to any of the three airports
of Himachal since September which has caused losses to the tune of over Rs 15 crore only to
tourism sector. As it takes a minimum of 10 hours to reach Manali
from Chandigarh airport
and 14 hours from Delhi airport, many filmmakers are opting out Manali from their
shooting venue.
of Himachal since September which has caused losses to the tune of over Rs 15 crore only to
tourism sector. As it takes a minimum of 10 hours to reach Manali
from Chandigarh airport
and 14 hours from Delhi airport, many filmmakers are opting out Manali from their
shooting venue.
With snowcapped mountains, Manali provides a perfect backdrop for shooting between December and
April. Dozens of small and big budget film units, commercials and music video
album makers used to throng Manali during this season. But, except for one
commercial and one film shooting unit, nobody has confirmed their arrival in Manali for
shooting in next two months as it is not possible for all filmmakers to arrange
for chartered aircraft.
April. Dozens of small and big budget film units, commercials and music video
album makers used to throng Manali during this season. But, except for one
commercial and one film shooting unit, nobody has confirmed their arrival in Manali for
shooting in next two months as it is not possible for all filmmakers to arrange
for chartered aircraft.
Manoj Kumar, chairman of Himalayan Film Productions, who has worked as line producer for films like Maa
Tujhe Salam, Diljale, Ishq, Jaal, Barsat and 1971, said indefinite cancellation
of flights to Himachal is adversely impacting the shootings here. “Big stars do
not have this much time to spend on travelling. They want comfort. Hiring
charter plane for whole shooting unit is not that cheaper,” he said.
Tujhe Salam, Diljale, Ishq, Jaal, Barsat and 1971, said indefinite cancellation
of flights to Himachal is adversely impacting the shootings here. “Big stars do
not have this much time to spend on travelling. They want comfort. Hiring
charter plane for whole shooting unit is not that cheaper,” he said.
It is possible that the beauty of Himachal could be missing from movies in coming years. Manoj added that films are the best way of promoting tourism and he has noticed a big difference in last two decades ever since he is bringing shooting units to Himachal and other northern states of the country.
“Shooting of 3 idiots at Pangong lake doubled the tourism in Ladakh. Similarly, outer world got to know about Manali after watching it on screen. Maintaining a distance by shooting units just because of transportation hurdles is not good sign for Manali and entire state,” he said.
Dozens of meetings, even more request letters regarding continuation of flights have been sent to various departments and ministers by tourism entrepreneurs and
hoteliers that have ended up with nostalgic replies from government. In a new
development, a group of hoteliers from Manali visited Himachal chief minister
and repeated their request to restart the flights to Himachal and also improve
the infrastructure here. At present the hotel occupancy rate in Manali is below
20 per cent and similar is the condition of Dharamshala, Dalhousie and Shimla.
hoteliers that have ended up with nostalgic replies from government. In a new
development, a group of hoteliers from Manali visited Himachal chief minister
and repeated their request to restart the flights to Himachal and also improve
the infrastructure here. At present the hotel occupancy rate in Manali is below
20 per cent and similar is the condition of Dharamshala, Dalhousie and Shimla.
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