Take a walk in Kerala's film park

Thiruvananthapuram: About Rs 0.9 billion (Rs 900 crores) will be pumped into the KINFRA Film and Video Park, nearing completion at Kazhakootam on the outskirts of the state capital, in the next three years.

Spread over 75 acres the park is being promoted by the state-owned Kerala Industrial Infrastructure Development Corporation (KINFRA).

"Four units are already working. We have invested Rs.1 billion in the project so far," K Sudhakaran, project manager of the park, said.

In operation is the Prasad Lab where close to 90 percent of all post-production work of the Malayalam film industry is done. Another unit that has begun work is Vismaya Max studio owned by superstar Mohanlal. His studio offers indoor and outdoor shooting locales, live shooting and editing facility and a recording suite.

"Three units, all in various stages of construction, are expected to become functional soon and six more have been booked. It includes a studio by film personality Murali Nair, who is planning to shift his studio here from London," said Sudhakaran.

About 25 acres have been set aside for developing a special economic zone (SEZ) in the park. Clearance of this is expected later this month.

"To develop a special economic zone there has to be one million sq ft building space that has to be ready in three years. We already have 150,000 sq ft air-conditioned space ready for occupation. Here we intend to provide a minimum space of 5,000 sq ft to each entrepreneur at a likely monthly rent of Rs.18 to Rs.20 per sq ft," said Sudhakaran.

This leaves another five acres, which can be given to a maximum of five units.

An acre for a 90-year lease at a cost of Rs.2.5 million is the charge that the park levies from each independent unit.

"As of now 150 people work in the four units and when fully developed, 5,000 people would be employed," Sudhakaran added.

Among those who already have booked their space include film personalities Suresh Gopi, producer Suresh Kumar, a compact disc unit now based in New Delhi and a person who works at the Ramoji Rao Film City in Hyderabad.