Puducherry likely to be declared 'film city'

PUDUCHERRY: As this former French Colony on the Coromandel Coast is attracting umpteen movie makers, the Union Territory administration is considering a plea to declare it a 'film city'.
    
"There is a plea that Puducherry should be made a film city. This would be considered on merits," Chief Minister N Rangasamy said on Saturday after setting in motion the making of a documentary on the life of Tamil writer Puduvai Sivam here.
    
In view of its unique features, Puducherry had been attracting several film producers for shooting movies,he said.
    
Simple procedure to sanction permission for shooting and also the lesser fee structure were among the reasons that lure film-makers to foray into the Union Territory.
    
He also added that the territorial government is keen on repairing and maintaining its heritage buildings.
    
Rangasamy hailed the efforts of those who had come forward to bring out a documentary on Puduvai Sivam.
    
He said that making films on writers, freedom fighters and other stalwarts was a must since the future generation would have an opportunity to know about such personalities.
    
The legislators of Puducherry R Siva and N G Pannerselvam were among those who spoke recalling the services of Sivam as a teacher, Tamil writer and social thinker.