Panaji, March 30 (IANS) The Goa government will take up the issue of bad portrayal of the state in the Bollywood film "Dum Maaro Dum" with its director Rohan Sippy, Tourism Minister Nilkanth Halarnkar said Wednesday.

Former tourism minister Mickky Pacheco has said he would approach the Bombay High Court, seeking a ban on the film.

Replying to a discussion during the zero hour, Halarnkar said both he and Chief Minister Digambar Kamat had taken the issue seriously.

"We are worried that Goa may be projected badly in the film. The tourism industry and the government have worked very hard to build the reputation of Goa to what it is today. We will intervene. The chief minister and me will take up the issue with Sippy," Halarnkar said.

The minister also said that the tourism industry was worried about the kind of tourists which would be attracted to Goa if the film was released.

Earlier, former tourism minister Francisco alias Mickky Pacheco, while raising the issue in the assembly, said the Rohan Sippy film, whose racy promos are making waves already, projected Goa in bad light.

"The government must intervene and ensure that the image of Goa as a place for crime, sex and drugs does not go to the masses through the film," Pacheco said.

"'Dum Maaro Dum' will badly dent the image of Goa. Our tourism season will be badly affected because of the film. I am approaching the high court next week seeking a ban on the film," said Pacheco, Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) member from Benaulim.

"Dum Maro Dum" starring Abhishekh Bachchan and Deepika Padakon is all set for release April 22. The promotional film delves into the narcotics mafia and sex trade.

The Travel and Tourism Association of Goa (TTAG) was unhappy when the promos of the film were released two months ago as it felt the movie could have adverse repercussion for tourism in the state.

In February, the Goa police as well as the chief minister had said they would ask the film's director for a special screening for the officials prior to its release.