States need to create infrastructure to promote film tourism: Entertainment Industry

Entertainment professionals on Wednesday called for evolving policies to ease film shoots across India with single window clearances. The states must create infrastructure and build a local ecosystem of tourism around that place, said Jaspal Singh Bindra, Chairman of FICCI Maharashtra State Council and Executive Chairman of Centrum Group.

"There is a need for a friendly and proactive policy to enable to get approvals in a specific time-frame and get assistance on site from respective government departments," he said while addressing a session titled 'Shoot at Site' on the second day of 20th FICCI Frames, the global media and entertainment convention. Vikramjit Roy, Head of Film Facilitation Office, said India has a robust film industry which can harness and leverage many locations across the country.

He also spoke about how online applying for a shoot has become smooth. One can see locations and apply with a click of a button to complete the process. Concerned authorities help the filmmakers get necessary permissions to shoot anywhere in a state, said Roy. Ms Neelam Bala, Secretary at the Animal Welfare Board, spoke about creating awareness around using animals for shoots. “There are strict rules about monitoring related to the use of animals in movies and other media, as films require permissions before releasing the audio visual for public viewing.”

Among others who spoke were Kulmeet Makkar, CEO of Producer Guild of India, Usha Sharma, Director General of Archaeological Survey of India, Nitin Bhanudas Jawale, Managing Director of Odisha Film Development Corporation, Sudhir Sobti, Chief Manager Chief Manager for public relations, publicity and tourism at the Government of Delhi, and Manisha Arora, Additional Director of Rajasthan Tourism. The FICCI-EY knowledge report on film tourism was released at the event. It covers policies of 21 states.

(With inputs from agencies.)