Bengaluru municipality embarrassed for allowing shooting of film in its premises

Bengaluru: A Tamil film, which released a month ago, was allegedly shot inside the Bruhat Bengaluru Mahanagara Palike (BBMP) head office. This allegation or revelation has embarrassed the BBMP authorities that are now denying such a permission was given in a wishy-washy manner.

Talking to The New Indian Express, Karnataka BJP spokesperson Prakash S alleged that the crew of the movie Imaikkaa Nodigal covered the Kempegowda emblem and the Palike board to convert it into a CBI office for their film.

The film was shot also inside the BBMP commissioner’s office. Actress Nayanthara is seen sitting inside the office in a scene. Prakash S added that he was shocked to note the transgression when he saw the movie. “How can one allow a film’s shooting inside the Palike building? They have converted the building into a movie set. Will they enable shooting inside the Vidhana Soudha next?’’ he asked.

Prakash S later alleged that the members of the ruling party and officials allowed the film crew to shoot inside to get funds as the BBMP is short of money.

BBMP officials said that they were not aware of this incident. “We did not give any permission for shooting. I have seen some clips after I learnt about the complaint. They seem to have taken the shots using a drone. Even though our permission is a must for a drone. We can lodge a police complaint against the movie crew,’’ a senior official said to The Indian Express.

Mayor Gangambike Mallikarjun said that no shooting was allowed inside the municipal premises. We will get the clips of the movie and check which portions of the building they have covered. We will discuss the issue with our legal cell to decide what action can be taken,’’ she said.

A senior BBMP councillor noted that the officials might have permitted to shoot during the night. “This was not done on paper. They must have shot the scene at night,” he said.

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