Hollywood studios are showing interest in developing the two state-of-the-art film cities planned in West Bengal, Finance Minister Amit Mitra today said.

The State Government had earlier announced plans for making at least two film cities, one in Uttarpara, a few km from Kolkata, and the other one in north Bengal.

“Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee had identified the spots and accordingly land has already been allocated for the two film cities. Expressions of interest are flowing in from various quarters,” Mitra said at FICCI’s media and entertainment business conclave.

Recently, executives of company who had developed a film city in Manchester told him that they are interested in developing the ones coming up in Bengal.

“Another major studio in the US has also expressed interest. The film industry has tremendous national and international potential,” the minister said.

The film cities being planned will not only work for the film and television industry but will also be a hub for animation, gaming and special effects, he said.

Stating that infrastructure is critical for the industry, Mitra said Bengal is already a hub of creativity and with the film cities, the entire eco-system will be complete.

On a number of occasions, Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee has said Tollywood must reach out to Bollywood and Hollywood to bridge the gap between the film industries.

During a meeting with the US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton, she had sought a joint endeavour to work together for the development of Bengal’s entertainment industry.

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