Assembly clears new film-city expansion bill

The state cabinet on Tuesday cleared a long-pending proposal to expand the regional film city by nearly 400 acres, a move industry bodies say could create thousands of jobs across production, post and hospitality.

Producers welcomed the decision, noting that studio-floor shortages had pushed several shoots out of state over the past two years. “This keeps our crews working close to home,” one veteran line producer said.

Officials said the first phase — sound stages, a virtual-production volume and a backlot — would break ground before the next financial year, with incentives for regional-language projects.

Analysts caution that execution, not intent, will decide the outcome, pointing to earlier plans that stalled over land acquisition and power supply.