Chief minister Raghubar Das has urged the Marathi community to make films in Jharkhand by taking advantage of the state's new film policy.

Das, who was speaking at Maharashtra Hitkari Mandal in Bistupur, Jamshedpur, on Sunday, the last day of the Mandal's three-day centenary celebrations, said: "Our Hindi film industry originated in Mumbai (Maharashtra). I want the Marathi community to take up the responsibility in Jharkhand too. Jharkhand is not just about natural resources, but also about scenic beauty that can serve as some of the best destinations to shoot films."

"I have personally spoken to Anupam Kher, Salman Khan and Akshay Kumar who have promised to visit Jharkhand and plan something here," the chief minister said in his address. "We have identified a 200-acre plot in Patratu where a proposed film city will come up. The government is all set to help filmmakers with a grant of up to Rs 2 crore if they shoot 75 per cent of the films here in the state."

The chief minister also cited examples of Chhatrapati Shivaji, the great Maratha ruler, his strategy as a ruler and the glorious Maratha culture.

Parliamentary affairs and food and civil supplies minister Saryu Roy, Jamshedpur MP Bidyut Baran Mahto, Tata Steel president (total quality management and steel business) Anand Sen were among the notables present at the function.

Minister Roy, a veteran Jamshedpurean, earned appreciation when he praised the quality of the Mandal's canteen food.

Tata Steel's Sen suggested the members draw a plan about the work to be done in the next 50 years.

A souvenir and book launch and a cultural programme were among the highlights of the programme.

Members of the outfit also reminisced about the olden days. "The land was rocky and it took three years to make it even," said Vasant Khale, president, Maharashtra Hitkari Mandal, about the Bistupur plot.

"We built a few rooms in 1926. In 1935, we built a hall. Contributions from members of that time helped build the present building in 1950. It is not everyday that a club completes a century," Khale said, adding they would, as always, take up social and cultural work for the betterment of society.

Where in Jharkhand should Salman or Akshay shoot?

Tell ttkhand@abpmail.com