The Hindu : Tamil Nadu News : Price trend worries dream merchants

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Monday, Oct 06, 2008
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Tamil Nadu

Tamil Nadu

Price trend worries dream merchants

D. Radhakrishnan

‘Even the prices of hill vegetables are higher here than in Chennai’

— Photo: D. Radhakrishnan

K. Radhakrishnan

If one thinks that the galloping inflation and resultant spiralling prices are a serious source of concern only to the common man then he/she should think again because even the generally resourceful dream merchants are now viewing the trend as a worrying factor.

K.Radhakrishnan, the Executive Producer of a film under production ‘Aen Ippadi Mayakinai’ on Sunday told The Hindu that Udhagamandalam was suitable for shooting a wide variety of films particularly those that fall under the ‘romantic-thriller’ genre. But he added that though film makers will continue to flock to the place owing to its reputation and capability to meet their requirements they will constantly be worried about the rising costs. The film has completed 35 days shooting schedule in various parts of this hill station. Food and refreshments account for a sizeable part of the budget, he said and added that he was taken aback by the prices of vegetables here.

Food prices

‘Even the prices of hill vegetables are higher here than in Chennai’, he lamented.

‘But on no account have we made any kind of compromises on food,’ he said.

Wage hike

Citing the rising cost of living, labourers have recently hiked their wages by 25 per cent and this has added to the cost of production.

Consequently companies which are forced to work within the confines of a frozen budget find it hard to bear the pinch. Though some of the hoteliers offer attractive concessions for bulk bookings, transport costs are high in the hills. The fickle weather adds to the hidden costs.

Even though the fee for film shooting have come down in Tamil Nadu, they are still high when compared to some other places like Karnataka.

If the system of giving permits is streamlined film makers can avoid unnecessary expenditure, he said.

In turn more film units will come here and contribute to the economic well being of the place. At the same time film makers should ensure that their activities do not in any way affect normal life in the hill station, Mr.Radhakrishnan added.

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