Ranveer Singh film shoot at Azad Maidan postpones junior cricket matches and draws MCA anger

Actor Ranveer Singh's new film Pralay has triggered a row after receiving government approval to shoot at Mumbai's Azad Maidan, forcing the postponement of school cricket games.

The Row Over Ground Usage

The Maharashtra government's Sports Department gave the production team of Pralay permission to use the ground for six hours. This decision upset the Mumbai Cricket Association because it disrupted planned Under-14 and Under-16 interschool matches. MCA Apex Council member Nadim Memon criticized the move, pointing out that large sets were put up and artificial grass was laid down on a ground meant for training future international players. Memon also stated that the association had to reschedule its tournaments and questioned who would take responsibility for the loss.

Rental Terms And Rules

The production house Light Rays paid a rental fee of forty thousand rupees for six hours, along with a refundable security deposit of the same amount, to use five thousand square yards of government land. Official documents show the approval was signed by Sports Department Under Secretary Ashok Damayyawar on October 30 and forwarded by the Deputy Director of Sports and Youth Services in Mumbai on November 2. The rules barred the crew from bringing vehicles onto pitches, cooking, or digging, and required clearance from the police, traffic department, BMC, and an NOC from the MCA.

Context

Azad Maidan is one of Mumbai's most historic public grounds and has long served as a key nursery for grassroots cricket in the city. Public maidans in Mumbai face constant competing demands between sports development, public recreation, and commercial or political events.