PIONEER NEWS SERVICE/Dehradun
The chief executive officer of Uttarakhand Film Development Council (UFDC), Banshidhar Tiwari stated that the positive and welcoming environment for film units in Uttarakhand positions the State as a strong destination for film production. He said this while he met actor Sunny Deol and director Anurag Singh on the set of Border 2 in Halduwala, Dehradun, here on Tuesday. Deol appeared comfortable and enthusiastic during this visit.
It is pertinent to mention that Uttarakhand’s current film policy, developed under the leadership of chief minister Pushkar Singh Dhami, is regarded as one of the most progressive policies in the country. Filmmakers benefit from timely shooting permissions, administrative support and easy access to local resources.
Additionally, producer Binoy Gandhi said that Border 2 is based on the Indo-Pak war of 1971 and features a grand set designed to depict a village in Kashmir, constructed in Halduwala. Set construction began in November of last year and the film includes significant elements like war scenes, tank movements, and intricate visual effects (VFX). Approximately 350 local residents are employed daily for this project.
Apart from Border 2, several major films are currently being shot in Uttarakhand. Notably, the filming of Ginny Weds Sunny 2, produced by Vinod Bachchan (known for Tanu Weds Manu), is taking place in Dehradun. Meanwhile, the comedy satire Uttar Da Puttar, featuring Annu Kapoor, Pawan Malhotra and Bijendra Kala, is being filmed in both Dehradun and Rishikesh.
To promote Uttarakhandi cinema, three films in the Garhwali language—Marcha, Teri Maya and Namak—are currently being shot in Dehradun, Tehri and Uttarkashi, respectively. With the support of the State government, these films are receiving comprehensive technical resources while incorporating local folk culture, traditions and dialects, thereby giving regional cinema a new direction and identity.
Recently, the shooting of several notable Hindi films and web series has been completed in Uttarakhand. The Uttarakhand government issued 225 shooting permissions during the 2024-25 year. The Uttarakhand Film Vikas Parishad is actively working to establish the state as an attractive filmmaking destination, where a blend of culture, nature, technology and administrative support creates a unique experience for filmmakers.
