Mumbai/Lucknow, Dec 2 (IANS): Union Minister of State for Social Justice, Ramdas Athawale, has said that no one can move the film industry from Mumbai though it is a good initiative for Uttar Pradesh to set up a Film City in the state.

In a statement, Athavale said that the Film City has already made its mark in Mumbai and it would not be easy to move it away.

"Mumbai is the financial capital of the country. It is an industrial city. Like many other industries, it is conducive to the film industry. Therefore, no one can move the cine industry from Mumbai, but it is a good to try to set up a film industry like the Bollywood in Uttar Pradesh," he said.

Earlier in the day, Shiv Sena spokesman Sanjay Raut had said, "It is not easy to move the Film City out of Mumbai. Attempts have been made earlier also, but how will you recreate the atmosphere of Mumbai in UP and Bihar? Is he (Yogi Adityanath) going to visit other cities in south India, West Bengal as they have big film industry or is he only locking horns with Mumbai?"

Raut also asked Yogi Adityanath on the prospect of a Film City in Uttar Pradesh.