Daijiworld Media Network – Mumbai

Mumbai, May 11: Maharashtra Cultural Affairs Minister Ashish Shelar on Monday directed the formation of a three-member expert committee to study incentive-based policies for the film industry with the aim of strengthening the state’s position as a preferred filming destination.

The committee has been asked to submit its report within three months, focusing on subsidies, incentives and support systems for film production.

The decision was taken during a meeting held at the Sahyadri Guest House with representatives of Hindi film producers and production houses, where discussions were held on various challenges faced during film production in Mumbai and other parts of Maharashtra.

According to an official statement, the committee will study subsidy policies and support systems offered by different Indian states as well as international filming destinations and suggest measures to improve Maharashtra’s competitiveness in attracting film projects.

Detailed discussions were also held on shooting infrastructure, permission-related issues and policy reforms needed for the growth of the film industry.

Shelar said ongoing infrastructure works in Mumbai and Maharashtra had temporarily affected some shooting locations, but several new filming destinations would become available after the completion of these projects.

He added that the government was working on developing new shooting hubs across the state, including two to three new filming destinations in Kolhapur along with a railway station setup for shoots.

The minister further said land acquisition for proposed film cities at Ramtek in Nagpur and Nashik had been completed and development work had already begun.

Efforts are also underway to modernise ND Studio with government support.

The statement said earlier tenders for Film City did not receive the expected response, following which the government was now working on a hybrid development model with private participation.

To simplify approvals required for film production, the government has developed a single-window clearance system and is also working to make permissions available online.

The minister also said short-term courses by Film and Television Institute of India have been introduced at Film City for skill development in films and media.

In addition, the campus of the Indian Institute of Creative Technology has started functioning at the office of the National Film Development Corporation, the statement added.