When Akshay Kumar was set to shoot Rowdy Rathore at the historical site of Hampi (Karnataka), local protests against the use of the historical site for shooting forced them to change location. Historical structures in Karnataka, like Hampi, Bidar fort, Badami cave temples, were a favourite for Hindi filmmakers till the Karnataka government banned film shoots at heritage sites to protect them from damage.

In Tamil Nadu, in contrast, temples have been seen in countless number of films or televisions serials especially as locations for boy-meets-girl scene. But these sacred structures being used as a film or a TV serial set has irked many people in Chennai including the former director of Department of Archaeology, Dr R. Nagaswamy. “A temple is sacred; it is meant for worship. It can’t be converted into a film studio,” says Dr Nagaswamy. “The Endowments Department has already issued a circular stating that shoots cannot happen in temples. The existing structures and backdrops of sacred pictures cannot be used for commercial purposes. These shoots will damage these archaeological structures and cause irreparable damage,” he added.

Despite the fact that there are several film studios available in Chennai for filmmakers to erect sets, shoots have continued to take place in real temples versus studio sets. Some put this down to the cost factor. While recreating a temple set would involve heavy expenditure, shooting in a real temples would involve minimal cost.

Temples are not the only archaeological structures that have attracted film and TV serial producers. For instance, movies have also been shot at the famous Shore Temple in Mahabalipuram (where Krish and Ananya get married in 2 States).

Asks blogger Aarti Krishnakumar, “I see song-and-dance sequences in Hampi or Halebid and it makes me wonder why permissions are given to them. Why can't they erect a set and do it there? Also, do movie makers donate anything for maintenance of these places?”

While the Karnataka government has already put in place strict measures for film shooting at their archaeological structures to protect them and the environment, Tamil Nadu still needs to enforce their rules.

Budding entrepreneur Lakshmi Kala Varadarajan agrees that Tamil Nadu should also should ban such shoots. “People don’t take precautions when they shoot. In the name of film shoots, people litter the place and the beauty of the place is completely spoilt,” she says.

Krishnakumar also agrees, adding, “People, sound and equipment will damage the structure and we will not be able to preserve the heritage. Most of them are already in ruins so any kind of additional tampering is going to be detrimental and there will be nothing left of our history for us or for future generations.”

Actor Narayan Lucky who understands the issues faced by both filmmakers and the government, says, “How we wish shoots could happen without any damage, but prevention is better than regretting later. In these locations if the damage is done, then it loses the charm and value. Also if it’s a public space and has historical value, it’s good to leave it alone and for the public to experience and enjoy that.”

Dr Nagaswamy adds, “The Tamil Nadu government should take some strict action against such shoots in temples and archaeological structures.”