By Anil Sharma, IANS

Several international film production companies have shown interest in setting up a film city in the outskirts of the Rajasthan capital.

"We have received proposals, including from the Australia-based Warner Roadshow Studios," an official of the Jaipur Development Authority (JDA) said. The proposed city is to come up on 1,000 acres of land in the Jamdoli area, around 15 km from here.

Michael Lake, president of Warner Roadshow Studios, and representatives of Kundalini Pictures LLC, a Los Angeles-based film production firm, have already met JDA officials, said the official.

On the Road Productions, another company with offices in Mumbai and Los Angeles, and Raj Singh, a Silicon Valley entrepreneur, have also put in their proposals.

"A majority of these companies have proposed to complete the film city project in three phases. The total proposed cost is about Rs.19 billion," he added.

A special delegation of JDA officials was earlier sent to Mumbai to discuss the project with Bollywood directors and producers but no concrete outcome emerged.

The project got a boost when several producers and directors from the US and Australia discussed the project with JDA Commissioner D.B. Gupta recently. They suggested that the project be worked out in three phases.

The first phase is likely to cost Rs.3.15 billion. It will include the construction of studios, animation and gaming facilities, an art-and-media college, a five-star resort and a convention centre.

Around Rs.13.5 billion would be invested in the second phase that involves setting up theme parks, more five star resorts, three star resorts, a budget hotel and an exclusive park and recreational area.

The third phase would entail construction work of Rs.2.25 billion, including a history and nature museum, media arts museum and preservation archives.

A few months back a Singapore-based firm Scenario Media Limited and two Delhi-based firms had evinced interest in the film city project. The Singapore firm had proposed to develop it on the lines of the RamojiFilmCity in Hyderabad.

"We are presently vetting all the proposals and a decision will soon be taken," the official said.