Dhanbad, Dec. 17: In another six months, Dhanbad will boast a film city, courtesy Bhojpuri singing sensation Manoj Tiwari (in picture).

The objectives of this mega venture, Tiwari says, are to promote indigenous cinema and exploit the beautiful locales of Dhanbad. The singer believes that the town’s close proximity to Calcutta will help draw crowds.

“A film city is necessary to promote local music, cinema, culture and tradition,” Tiwari said, adding that the state government should come forward and support his project.

The proposed film city, which will come up on 100 acres, will provide a range of facilities — studios to cameras — to local movie makers at nominal charges. “This will be an effort to promote local talents,” he said.

Tiwari also urged the government to make provisions for compulsory screening of local films at theatres so that students can get an opportunity to watch them. Local channels, particularly Bhojpuri ones, are working towards promoting the culture, tradition and music of Bihar and Jharkhand, he said. “I want to follow in their footsteps.”

Though a strong advocate of folk music, Tiwari defended remixes, saying they helped break the monotony. “Experiments help create new music, which is often more popular than the original,” he said.

The singer-actor also believes that the small screen has several advantages and one can assess a creative product quickly through TRP ratings, but for movies one has to be lot more patient.

“However, I am sanguine that my venture will make movies more enjoyable and local films more accessible to cine-goers,” he added.