CM Sai Announces Rs 150 Cr Film City in Nava Raipur
Synopsis
Chhattisgarh Chief Minister Vishnu Deo Sai announced the construction of Chitroutpala Film City in Nava Raipur at approximately ₹150 crore. The state-of-the-art facility aims to boost Chhollywood, create opportunities for local artists, and accelerate the growth of Chhattisgarhi cinema as part of a broader regional cultural development push.
Key Takeaways
Chhattisgarh CM Vishnu Deo Sai announced the Chitroutpala Film City project on 13 June 2026 .
The film city will be built in Nava Raipur Atal Nagar , the state's planned capital.
The estimated project cost is approximately ₹150 crore .
The facility is intended to provide new opportunities for local artists and boost Chhollywood , the Chhattisgarhi film industry.
The project follows a national trend of states building regional film infrastructure to reduce dependence on Mumbai and Hyderabad.
A detailed project timeline and facility breakdown have not yet been officially disclosed.
Chhattisgarh Chief Minister Vishnu Deo Sai announced on Saturday, 13 June 2026 that his government is constructing the Chitroutpala Film City in Nava Raipur at an estimated cost of approximately ₹150 crore, positioning the project as a major push for regional cinema in the state.
Context
Posting in Hindi on X, CM Sai stated: 'हमारी सरकार लगभग ₹150 करोड़ की लागत से नवा रायपुर में चित्रोत्पला फिल्म सिटी का निर्माण कर रही है' ('Our government is constructing Chitroutpala Film City in Nava Raipur at a cost of approximately ₹150 crore'). He added that the state-of-the-art facility would provide new opportunities to local artists and talent while giving fresh momentum to the growth of Chhattisgarhi cinema. The announcement also specifically named Chhollywood — the colloquial term for the Chhattisgarhi film industry — as a key beneficiary.
Policy Backdrop
Nava Raipur Atal Nagar, the greenfield planned capital of Chhattisgarh, has been under development since 2002, two years after the state was carved out of Madhya Pradesh in 2000. The city was conceived as an administrative and infrastructure hub, and cultural projects of this scale represent a natural extension of that vision. The Government of Chhattisgarh has consistently pursued initiatives to promote Chhattisgarhi language, arts, and regional identity since statehood.
The Chitroutpala Film City fits into a broader national pattern: multiple Indian states have established dedicated film production facilities to support regional-language cinema and reduce dependence on established centres such as Mumbai and Hyderabad. States that have launched film policies or studio complexes over the last decade have typically paired infrastructure spending with incentive packages aimed at local talent and content creation.
Stakeholders and Impact
The primary beneficiaries identified by CM Sai are local artists, regional filmmakers, and the broader Chhollywood ecosystem. A dedicated, professionally equipped film city could reduce the cost and logistical burden currently faced by Chhattisgarhi productions that rely on facilities outside the state. For Nava Raipur, the project also signals an effort to diversify the city's economic profile beyond administrative functions, potentially attracting creative-industry investment and employment.
The announcement is also significant for cultural preservation: Chhattisgarhi cinema, though growing, has historically operated with limited infrastructure. A purpose-built facility could accelerate both the volume and production quality of regional content.
What's Next
Observers will watch for formal construction milestones, any accompanying Chhattisgarh film policy or talent-incentive package, and announcements regarding inaugural productions or festivals to be hosted at the facility. The government has not yet disclosed a completion timeline or a detailed breakdown of the ₹150 crore outlay in this announcement. Further official communications are expected to provide specifics on project phasing and the facilities planned within the complex.
Point of View
Blending regional identity politics with infrastructure investment ahead of a period when state governments across India are competing to attract creative-industry capital. By anchoring the project in Nava Raipur, CM Sai reinforces the planned capital's relevance beyond bureaucracy, giving it a cultural dimension that could attract private investment. The explicit invocation of 'Chhollywood' signals an effort to build a distinct regional brand, mirroring strategies used in states like Telangana and Odisha. The true test will be whether the facility is paired with a substantive film policy — incentive packages, co-production agreements, and festival platforms — that converts infrastructure into a functioning industry ecosystem.
NationPress
7 Aug 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the Chitroutpala Film City in Chhattisgarh?
Chitroutpala Film City is a state-funded film production facility being constructed in Nava Raipur, Chhattisgarh, at an estimated cost of approximately ₹150 crore. It is designed to support local artists and the growth of Chhattisgarhi regional cinema, known as Chhollywood.
Where will the Chhattisgarh film city be located?
The film city will be located in Nava Raipur Atal Nagar, the greenfield planned capital of Chhattisgarh that has been under development since 2002.
What is Chhollywood?
Chhollywood is the colloquial name for the Chhattisgarhi-language film industry, analogous to Bollywood for Hindi cinema or Tollywood for Telugu cinema. It is a growing regional industry that has historically operated with limited dedicated infrastructure.
How much is the Chhattisgarh government spending on the film city?
Chief Minister Vishnu Deo Sai stated that the government is investing approximately ₹150 crore in the Chitroutpala Film City project. A detailed breakdown of this outlay has not yet been officially released.
Why is Chhattisgarh building a film city?
The stated aim is to provide new opportunities for local artists and talent, accelerate the development of Chhattisgarhi cinema, and elevate Chhollywood to new heights. The project also follows a broader national trend of states building regional film infrastructure to reduce dependence on established centres like Mumbai.
