Pune: The issue of providing the sports ground for film production came to the fore at a senate meeting of Savitribai Phule Pune University (SPPU). A question raised by Senate member Santosh Dhore on details of the rent agreement and the contract between university and filmmaker, Nagraj Manjule revealed that the film production company has only paid Rs 6.5 lakh for 45 days to the university.
After Dhore demanded further details on the provisions to give sport ground for other purposes and charges levied, it was revealed that the university provides the ground for charges of Rs 25,000 per hour. Considering this, it has been found that the SPPU had incurred a loss of over Rs 14 crore.
Manjule had built a replica of slum area on the sports ground which remained there for eight months.
Other Senate members, Dadabhau Shinalkar, Sandeep Kadam and Shashikant Tikote supported Dhore and echoed similar opinions on whether the university had followed any rules to facilitate the film production team and whether it had considered that this would violate rights of students as many were unable to use the sports ground.
Even after repeated notices send by Higher and Technical Education Minister Ravindra Waikar and Zilla Parishad, the set remained on the ground for several months.
In reply to above questions, Deepak Mane, Director of Physical Education and Sports Department said that considering the film had a social message and the filmmaker’s promise to involve SPPU students in the film making process, there was no question of ‘rent’ being charged. “Considering that he is an ex-student, the university decided to help him. Also, that part of the sports ground was not in a good condition and since Manjule had promised to make a lawn and improve the condition of the ground after the shoot, it was decided to give it to him,” he said.
Accepting Senate members’ opinions and suggestions, VC Nitin Karmalkar extended his apologies to all if any sentiments were hurt in the process. However, he stated that university had provided the ground to Manjule as a goodwill gesture. “I wasn’t aware that Manjule was a former student of the university. I learnt only after we met. Moreover, the concept of the film of a Nashik-based sports teacher who was the football coach of several slum children and his students, appealed to me. Hence, I thought we should encourage such initiatives. Nevertheless, for whatsoever reason the film shoot stopped, the promised provisions under the MoU remained unfinished. Also, I realised that it took sometime to clear the sports ground,” said Karmalkar.
The VC then made an emotional appeal stating that he was on SPPU campus since 32 years since his student days. “I am well aware about the condition of that part of the ground and the grass had grown to the chest level. Yes it was unfortunate that several problems cropped up and the film shooting did not finish in the stipulated time. I apologise to senate members if they feel any legality was overlooked and any feelings were hurt,” he said.
