Talks on for Disney park, film studio at Ganpatipule

Talks on for Disney park, film studio at Ganpatipule

Walt Disney and Paramount Pictures are in talks with a private township developer for creating a world class amusement park and a film studio near Ganpatipule along the Konkan coast. Officials from the two companies are expected to visit Ganpatipule next month. Sources said if everything goes according to plan, a contract agreement will be signed by both parties by the end of January. Ganpatipule, which is around 375kms from Mumbai, boasts of spectacular beaches and is a popular getaway. More than five lakh tourists visit the region every year. “The two companies have shown interest and talks are on. If the plan materialises, then it would be a huge achievement for the Konkan region and tourism will get a boost,” said Mahesh Navathe, MD, Utopia City Ltd, during Global Kokan Festival, which was held in the city on Thursday. Maharashtra Tourism Development Corporation (MTDC), which partnered the event, has been promoting the region with a special interest due to its tourism potential and had recently initiated a luxury bus service. The two projects, which will be developed by the private developer, are expected to be part of a 2,000 acre mega township about 7kms away from Ganpatipule beach. US-based Walt Disney is a pioneer in the construction of amusement, theme parks and resorts. Paramount Pictures Corporation is one of the largest film and television production/distribution companies in the world. “A major chunk of the Indian film industry is concentrated in Mumbai and to a certain extent in south India. There are many places yet to be explored. If Paramount Pictures sets up a studio in Ganpatipule, it will help to showcase the beauty of the region through films,” said Sanjay Yadavrao, president, Kokan Bhumi Pratishthan, an umbrella organisation promoting the region with the support of political parties and the MTDC.