State tourism minister Gautam Deb on Thursday said the shooting of superstar Rajinikanth’s south Indian movie in Darjeeling and Kurseong would mean a shot in the arm for tourism in the Hills.

Rajnikanth arrived in Kurseong to shoot for his yet-to-be-named movie yesterday. The movie is said to be directed by Kathik Subbaraj. The actor will spend 40 days in the Hills, including Kurseong and Darjeeling. Sources have said that the shooting will take place at various places, including the Ranger’s College in Kurseong and St Paul’s School and Mount Hermon School in Darjeeling.

“It is indeed a pleasure to have one such powerful actor in the film industry like Rajnikanth shoot in the Hills. We held a meeting with the administration to ensure that the shooting is conducted smoothly. Hundreds of crew and support-staff have already reached the Hills. This would definitely be a major boost for the tourism industry,” Mr Deb said here on Thursday.

Political observers, meanwhile, said that the state government wants to send across a message that peace and normality have returned in the Hills, following last year’s Gorkhaland agitation.

“The tourism industry felt the pinch for 104 days during the strike in the Hills. With the shooting of the superstar’s movie, the state government wants to send across a message to the tourists across the country and the film industry that the environment in the Hills is ideal for such activities,” an observer said.

Mr Deb too said that the state government wanted to send across a positive message. “The Hills have always remained a fevourite place for shooting of films. Anurag Basu’s Barfi was shot in the Hills after the Mamata Banerjee- led state government came to power. Recently, some Bengali movie was shot in Kalimpong and Dooars. We want such shooting of Bollywood, South Indian and Hollywood movies to take place in good numbers. It will help develop the tourism industry,” he said.

Tourism industry stakeholders echoed the minister and said that such activities will certainly help promote the Hills. “We suffered a blow because of the shutdown, and attempts have been made by the state government to revive the industry. It will also be a major boost for all those associated with the travel and trade sector and we all should take this opportunity and work to promote and brand ourselves,” a tour operator said.

The minister said he wished to meet the actor during his stay in the Hills. “Rajnikanth’s office has contacted with me. I wish to meet him after the shooting,” he said.