Doubling the cost of film shoot on train

Starting August 1, producers will pay a minimum of more than Rs. 4.5 lakh per day as opposed to around Rs. 2.3 lakh now.

Remember Shahrukh Khan dancing with Malaika Arora to the tunes of “Chaiya Chaiya” on top of the moving Nilgiri Mountain Train from Dil Se film? If such a scene was to be shot after August 1, 2015, the producers would have to pay more than double what they paid then.

Indian cinema has an age-old love for trains and the Ministry of Railways seems to have decided to make more money out it.

Starting August 1, the charges for special trains for shooting films will cost a minimum of more than Rs. 4.5 lakh per day as opposed to around Rs. 2.30 lakh now.

The per km haulage charge for filming in special trains consisting not more than four coaches, excluding the SLR, would be equal to the seat/ berth provided in each class for the distance the special train covers. The minimum fare per km would be Rs. 1,044 per km for trains on broad gauge and Rs. 1,628 on meter and narrow gauges as against the present Rs. 597 and Rs. 866 respectively.

There would be separate charges for dining/ kitchen/ pantry car coaches, detention charges for the train as well as the locomotive, security deposit (Rs. 2.5 lakh), service charge at 30 per cent, empty haulage charge and special hilly area surcharge of 20 per cent for trains on narrow gauge.

Besides these charges, licence fee too has to be paid to shoot on Railways premises, including stations and trains. It is Rs. 1 lakh for A1 and A cities, Rs. 50,000 for B1 and B cities, and Rs. 25,000 for other locations. Another Rs. 30,000 is for using moving/ stable railway coaches.

Thus, the total minimum haulage charge per day comes to Rs. 4,74,345 as against the present Rs. 2,31,551. In its circular issued to all Railway zones on July 15, the Railway Board has said the charges were last revised on June 25, 2009.

Source:The Hindu