Panaji Mayor says film shootings would be allowed only on weekends and not on the city pavements and public roads.
Taking a serious note of an alleged attack on a social activist in Panaji during the shoot of an upcoming Bollywood movie, the civic corporation on Wednesday said that film shootings would be allowed only on weekends and not on the city pavements and public roads.u00a0
ADVERTISEMENT
Corporation of the City (CCP) of Panaji Mayor Surendra Furtado told reporters that film shoots would be allowed only on weekends when the city has a "lesser activity" compared to weekdays.
"I also won't mind banning film shootings in the city if all 30 corporators are unanimous on the demand," Furtado said, responding to a question.
The CCP will also convene a special meeting of corporators on the issue, the Mayor added.
THE INCIDENT
The incident occurred when Dr Oscar Rebello, a well-known medical professional and social activist, who spearheaded anti-Regional Plan protests and other agitations, was allegedly manhandled by five men who were in charge of the security during the shooting of the film 'Mango' while he was walking to his clinic last morning
Dr Rebello was crossing the road behind his clinic located near the city market, where 'bouncers' accompanying the film crew had "illegally" cordoned off the road, asked him to stay put.
When Oscar still went on and crossed the road, the bouncers started roughing him up and threatening him.
"This cannot be allowed to happen. Film crew cannot assault respected city dwellers like this. The permission given to them (film crew) was only for a small area. But they have illegally blocked other roads too," Furtado said.
"I am lodging a complaint at the Panaji police station. This attitude is unacceptable," Rebello said.