Jamia Millia Islamia is becoming a favourite option for filmmakers to shoot their projects. While Delhi University continues to be a favourite spot for Bollywood, as the filmmakers say they usually avoid going to Jawaharlal Nehru University (JNU) because it is difficult to secure permissions there.

According to PTI reports, the reason behind Jamia opening its doors for shoots can also be attributed to fund cuts by the government. They said, the varsity administration has become easy with shoots and that has helped the filmmakers.

The secretary of Jamia Teachers’ Association Professor Majid Jamil said “The varieties have been asked to generate their own funds.”Hence, universities are making efforts to generate their own fund resources.

“For the last two years, the varsity has been facing issues in paying salaries of teachers. The varsity had to even break its fixed deposits to pay the salaries of teachers. Every university is facing these issues and most of the research and development activities are being hampered,” a source told PTI.

Films shot in Jamia Milia Islamia

The grand finale of ‘Bigg Boss 12’ was shot in one of the auditoriums of JMI, a film titled ‘Doordarshan’ starring Mahie Gill was recently shot in the campus.
An advertisement of Subway India was also shot in one of the classrooms of the varsity where the makers spent close to Rs 2-2.5 lakh in renovating the classrooms according to their requirement.

Filmmaker Imtiaz Ali recently visited the campus for a research for his film ‘Love Aaj Kal 2’ since he wanted to shoot a scene in a science laboratory but since the varsity’s lab did not fit his requirements, he will now be shooting that particular portion in Mumbai, the sources added.

Coming filmmaking projects

The varsity will soon play host to Kangana Ranaut starrer ‘Panga’, the sources said. A Malayalam film was also recently shot in the campus.

“The campus of JMI is huge and we do not have to worry about procuring additional security as we can shoot without worrying about our actors getting mobbed. The varsity has strong security in place,” said Line Producer Javed Khan.

He secured permission for shooting the film ‘Doorsdarshan’ and also the commercial for Subway India.

Khan said that the varsity provides several options through its auditoriums, classrooms, and lawns.

Rates for shooting in the university

While Khan did not disclose the exact cost charged by the varsity, he said the JMI offers an economical option for shoots. He said that Delhi University is more expensive than the JMI.

The sources told PTI that shooting in the JMI costs Rs 50,000 per day and the varsity gives concession if the film has a social message.

Delhi University, with its ambience, despite the high rates has been Bollywood’s favourite.

Films shot at Delhi University

Shahid Kapoor starrer ‘Kabir Singh’ was recently shot at Miranda House while Amazon Prime’s web series ‘Breathe 2’ featuring Abhishek Bachchan and Amit Sadh was shot in Kirori Mal College, the sources said.

“In the Delhi University, one mostly has to shoot during vacation time as there is always a threat of the actors getting mobbed but if there is an urgent requirement, the colleges give permission even on working days,” Line Producer Navmeet Singh told PTI.

Cost of shooting in Delhi University

The sources said the cost of shooting in Kirori Mal college, Hansraj college, and Miranda House is anywhere between Rs 2-2.5 lakh.

Arjun Kapoor-Shraddha Kapoor starrer ‘Half Girlfriend’ was shot at the St Stephen’s College and the sources claimed that the makers had to shell out Rs 3 lakh for each day.

The sources claimed that the JNU is not very open to the idea of film shoots and even filmmakers prefer to stay away from shooting there.