Storm in Japanese garden over Salman film shoot

Association of Friends of Japan miffed with PMC for keeping public out of garden; damage to lawns alleged

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The shooting of Bollywood film Bodyguard starring Salman Khan and Kareena Kapoor in the Pune Okayama Friendship Garden (POFG) has kicked up a storm of protest. Members of the Association of Friends of Japan (AFJ) and other regulars are miffed that people were denied use of the unique garden for the duration of the shoot and add that the facility was damaged by the film crew.

Angry with the Pune Municipal Corporation (PMC) for allowing the shoot, members of AFJ now plan to take up the matter with civic body, the state government and even the Okayama state government.

"We are very upset over the PMC's granting of permission for shooting at the garden.

It is shocking that we were not even informed about it," said Sameer Khale, president, AFJ.

The PMC laid the garden with Japanese Government funds and technical support on the premises of the Pu La Deshpande Udyan on Sinhagad Road in 2003. This is the first time a Bollywood film is being shot there.

The shooting took place over the past three days. Over 2,000 people who visit the POFG regularly were stopped from entering the premises. The PMC was paid Rs 50,000 rent by the producer for the three days of shooting.

"I got to know about the shooting when I saw a crowd. We are taking up this issue with the PMC and the state government, with whom the agreement was made by the Okayama state to create a Japanese garden," Khale said.

Anant Kulkarni, a senior citizen residing in the area, said that the PMC does not allow even visitors who are charged an entry fee of Rs 5 to step on the beautiful lawns, but it allowed the shooting in which the lawn was used in a big way. Kulkarni said the shooting also resulted in some damage to the lawns.

Mandira Chachar, POFG ticket window clerk, said, "We faced a lot of inconvenience as the garbage created by the crew of the film was a lot and out staff members had to do all the cleaning. On Sunday many senior citizens went back disappointed as the garden was closed the entire day. There is a total loss of Rs 10,000 in revenue over these three days of shooting."

Gardener Viththal Chandare said that food for the crew was prepared on the premises of Pu La Deshpande Udyan and plastic plates and bottles were strewn around.

"We all heaved a sigh of relief after the crew left late in the evening on Monday," he said.