SAYONI BHADURI – Mumbai
Understanding that films are an easy and fail-safe way of promoting a destination, Indian states are looking at setting up single window clearances for film makers. States of West Bengal, Gujarat, Maharashtra and Himachal Pradesh present at Shoot at Site by FICCI held in Mumbai, put forth their plans to promote film shootings in their state. Taking a proactive step, Vikram Sen, principal secretary, tourism department, Government of West Bengal informed, “The state has created a nodal officer in the I&CA department for the purpose.” There are four government film studios, 10 private ones and three additional shooting floor. The state will also provide financial incentives for locations upto `two lakh, he added. Similarly, Subhashish Panda, director tourism and civil aviation, Himachal Pradesh and MD HPTDC assured that no film maker will face difficulties in shooting in the state. He informed that the tourism department is the nodal office for issuing clearances for shoots. The state of Gujarat will help facilitate and get discounts on government accommodations at locations. Manoj Gursahani, chairman, Travelmartindia who was representing MTDC informed that the tourism think tank of the state is contemplating reducing cost for locations in Mumbai in the future. “There is also a plan to create a directory of line producers that will be put up online,” he added.
Krishnendu Narayan Chowdhury, minister-in-charge, department of tourism, Government of West Bengal expressing the state government’s keenness to bring in more films said, “Government is encouraging filming opportunities in the state. We have developed new studios and sound system set up in the state. Apart from Bengali and Hindi films, West Bengal has seen many international films being shot here.” The other ministerial presence at the event was Hasanul Haq Inu, minister of information, Government of People’s Republic of Bangladesh. He said that film tourism is a travel motivator. “As it is expanding with the growth of the entertainment industry and the increase of travel facilities around the globe, we need to see how it matters to us,” he added. He called upon producers, directors and investors to consider making a film on the War of Liberation of Bangladesh.
Speaking about Shoot at Site, Dr Arbind Prasad, director general, FICCI said that this was a unique initiative from FICCI as films are a great way to sell destinations which bring in more tourists. Also present at the Shoot at Site was Dr Jyotsna Suri, CMD, The Lalit Suri Hospitality Group; VP FICCI and chairperson, FICCI Tourism Committee who said that this was a great initiative to promote India as a location for films. Her thoughts were taken forward by film director Gautam Ghose who sang praises of the great contrasts that India has to offer to film makers. “The country is not homogenous with such diversity, and therein lies story ideas,” he said.
Other speakers discussed challenges of film making in new locations, how to tackle them and how tourism can benefit from film making endeavours. Apoorva Mehta, CEO, Dharma Productions said, “We go to international locations because of the convenience and the ease of shooting. In India, if we have to go to remote locations we would not even know who to approach for the required permissions. Then there is the red tape and hierarchy which needs to be massaged. A foreign film maker would not know who to go to, I am not sure if the Indian consulates abroad also have these necessary information.”
Colin Burrows, CEO, Special Treats commented that promises are one thing and action are another; it is important to stay on top of the government officials. Catherine McDonnell, head of business and legal affairs, Fox Studios Australia said that while conducting reconnaissance trips with film makers, it is important to showcase sites that are easily accessible and would not create hassles. “This is much more preferable to showing exotic locations which are sensitive and will cause difficulties in gaining permissions for shooting. Also tourism boards can easily use films shot at locations to promote the destinations,” she said.
Shoot at Site was also a platform for the launch of two reports of films and tourism – FICCI – Yes Bank study on ‘Film Tourism: India as the Next Hot Spot’ and an Ernst & Young report on ‘Roadmap to Single Window Clearance for Film Production in India.’
