Row over Kolhapur studio involving Lata didi unnecessary: CM

Mumbai, Nov 7 (UNI) Maharashtra Chief Minister Vilasrao Deshmukh today said there was an unnecessary row over the development of plot by melody queen Lata Mangeshkar on which a studio belonging to legendary Marathi filmmaker Bhalji Pendharkar is situated in Kolhapur.

Talking to reporters here, Mr Deshmukh said he had urged the noted singer during a telephonic talk yesterday to resolve the issue amicably keeping in mind local sentiments.

''She told me that in the development of the plot, the studio remains untouched. No film shooting takes place in it and it has been incurring losses for several years,'' he added.

Mr Deshmukh said,''After all we have to remember that the plot is Lata didi's private property and she has a right over it.'' The Chief Minister clarified that reports about Lata not heeding to his request of developing the studio into a memorial for the late filmmaker was ''incorrect''.

Late Pendharkar had sold his studio to Lata when he was suffering financial losses.

Several organisations in Kolhapur want Lata to develop the studio into Pendharkar's memorial.

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