VISAKHAPATNAM: IN what could give a boost to the film industry of Andhra Pradesh, foundation stone was laid for a Filmnagar Cultural Centre atop Thotalakonda here on Sunday. HRD minister Ganta Srinivasa Rao and Movie Artistes’ Association (MAA) president and veteran Tollywood actor Rajendra Prasad laid the foundation stone.The Filmnagar Cultural Centre, which will be built in 15 acres at a cost of `100 crore, will have a convention hall with seating capacity of 2,200, a sports complex and most advanced gymnasium.
“The government has been clearing all the issues at the earliest to make Vizag a hub of cine industries. Actor Ram Charan Tej, directors Puri Jagannath and VV Vinayak and several other big names of the film industry have sought land to set up studios in Vizag. Arrangements are being made to allocate land as per the norms,” Ganta said.
To promote the cine industry in Visakhapatnam, MP K Haribabu said, the district administration has identified 300 acres and proposals have been sent to the government to provide the needed infrastructure through the The Andhra Pradesh State Industrial Infrastructure Corporation (APIIC).
Highlighting the scope the Vizag offers to the film industry, MAA president Rajendra Prasad said the scenic beauty, pristine beaches, ancient monuments and heritage structures have it a favourite destination of movie makers not only of Andhra Pradesh, but also those from the Odisha and West Bengal. VUDA vice-chairman T Baburao Naidu, film producers KS Rama Rao, C Kalyan and Ashok Kumar were also present on the occasion.