Visitors to the Koti Women’s College, the erstwhile Residency Building, are now surprised to see trail marks left behind by film crews that drag lights, tripods and other cinematography paraphernalia across the floor.
The wooden flooring of the building has been restored over the past few years as has the compressed paper ceiling and the main Darbar Hall. The building has been thrown open to visitors as well for the shoot of web series and movies. According to sources, one Telugu movie maker has been recently penalised ₹5 lakh for damage to the plastering. The other damage can be seen on the parquet flooring of the grand Darbar Hall. Outside that, the mosaic ceramic tiles also bear traces of damage.
The shoot of films and web series is being seen as a source of income for the upkeep of the building. “But it is income at what cost? They are collecting additional money if there is any damage, but that is not reflected in the upkeep,” says a visitor to the site.
