Gothamist
A non-profit newsroom, powered by WNYC.
Gothamist
Listen Live
News
Filmmaker Sues City Over Right to Film on Streets
By
Jen Chung
Published Jan 11, 2006
Modified Mar 7, 2008
Share
FacebookTwitterRedditEmail
Never miss a story
Email address
By submitting your information, you're agreeing to receive communications from New York Public Radio in accordance with our Terms .
By
Jen Chung
Published Jan 11, 2006
Modified Mar 7, 2008
Share
FacebookTwitterRedditEmail
We rely on your support to make local news available to all
Make your contribution now and help Gothamist thrive in 2026. Donate today
Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations
The NYCLU is suing the city on behalf of Indian filmmaker Rakesh Sharma, who was detained for filming around the MetLife building last year. Sharma was working on his documentary about the "lives of ordinary people, including taxi drivers," after September 11 when police detained him and interrogated him for hours. Hmm, maybe the documentary can be about how the city doesn't like foreigners filming the city. According to the lawsuit, the NYPD told him Sharma needed a permit from the Mayor's Office of Film, Theatre and Broadcasting, but when he applied for one, he was denied (possibly because he didn't have the $1 million in required insurance?). There must be a thousand run-and-gun film productions on the streets now that aren't using permits - and will tourists be persecuted next?
Here's a PDF of the NYCLU's lawsuit and here is Sharma's website. And remember the threat of photography bans on and in the mass transit system?
Tagged
film
gun
jen chung
lawsuit
mass transit
mayor
News: NYC
nypd
office
people
police
september 11
the city
theatre
Jen Chung
Jen Chung is a former WNYC and Gothamist editor.
Read more
Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations
Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations
MORE news
Early Addition: Get to know Wanda, the donkey in the Met's 'La Bohème'
Because she's 18 years old now, here are your early links: The RHONY castmember mentioned in the Epstein Files, killing rats with carbon monoxide, Selena Gomez says don't vape and more.
By
James Ramsay
Published Oct 19, 2026 at 8:26 a.m. ET
Eric Adams' NYC buildings boss Eric Ulrich heads to trial, 3 years after arrest
Ulrich, a former city councilmember, is accused of trading access and favors for cash and bribes. He was the first aide to Mayor Adams charged with public corruption.
By
David Brand
and
Samantha Max
News
Eric Adams' NYC buildings boss Eric Ulrich heads to trial, 3 years after arrest
Ulrich, a former city councilmember, is accused of trading access and favors for cash and bribes. He was the first aide to Mayor Adams charged with public corruption.
By
David Brand
and
Samantha Max
Need help with mental health or addiction services? NYC has a new tool.
By
Caroline Lewis
NYC sues personal injury law firm accused of bogus trip-and-fall claims
By
Walter Wuthmann
NYC Council to consider earlier Legionella reporting after deadly outbreaks
By
Catalina Gonella
Never miss a story
Catch up on the most important headlines with a roundup of essential NYC stories, delivered to your inbox daily.
Sign upEmail address
By submitting your information, you're agreeing to receive communications from New York Public Radio in accordance with our Terms .