UP govt subsidy is a blessing for filmmakers, Director Sarika Sanjot

Bollywood director Sarika Sanjot, known for her debut film shot in Varanasi, has once again set her sights on Uttar Pradesh for her next cinematic ventures. Sarika revealed that she has finalized scripts for two films. Hailing from Ghaziabad, Sanjot expressed her familiarity with the region, stating, “I am from Ghaziabad so I know this belt very well. My debut feature film Kahani Rubberband Ki, with Avika Gor, Pratik Gandhi, and Manish Raisinghan, was shot in Varanasi, which released in theatres a month back. Now, I have two projects ready to roll — social-drama Mardo Ke Liye Nished Hain (MKLNH) that I have written, and suspense-thriller Sanniveshanam penned by Baahubali and Bajrangi Bhaijaan writer (KV Vijayendra) Prasad sir.”

The filmmaker has earmarked the shooting locations for her upcoming projects. “MKLNH will be shot in Lucknow. I came down just two weeks back and have captured a lot of locations on my camera. The other film will be shot in Kanpur. We have already pitched the films to the actors and once their dates are locked, we can start either of them,” Sarika disclosed.

Sarika attributed her decision to shoot in Uttar Pradesh to the compelling subjects of her films. “Initially I wanted to shoot my debut in Maheshwar but once I came to Varanasi, I immediately realized that it has to be shot here. The soul of my upcoming films too is here — in this belt. The icing on the cake is the subsidy given by the UP government. I shot my debut film after getting it approved by Film Bandhu, as per their norms and have already applied for a subsidy. For filmmakers like us, who come from a non-film background, it’s a blessing.”