WELCOMING FILMMAKERS

In a good gesture to make India a global destination for international film shooting and making, the Information & Broadcasting Minister made an announcement, during the Cannes Film Festival, welcoming foreign filmmakers to make movies in the country by offering incentives up to Rs 2.5 crore for co-production and hiring local manpower in such ventures. According to the scheme, foreign films’ shooting in India can claim an additional five per cent bonus up to a maximum of 65,000 dollars (Rs 50 lakh) for employing 15 per cent or more manpower locally. Earlier in a message, the Prime Minister had said that India possesses immense potential to become a content hub of the world and the government remains steadfast in its efforts towards furthering ease of doing business in the film sector. The PM had then said that our spellbinding locations, technological prowess in filmmaking and the talent of young men and women provide a perfect backdrop for filmmakers. This can definitely allure foreign filmmakers to shoot their movies in India. Besides showcasing our beautiful locales that are abound with nature’s bounty and dashing diversities, it can directly and indirectly offer a lot of job opportunities. Earlier also, movie makers from around the world had shot movies with Indian backgrounds. Some of the noted movies being ‘Octopussy’, ‘Life of Pi’, ‘Mission Impossible 4’, ‘The Dark Knight Rises’, ‘The Bourne Supremacy’ etc. The scheme is beneficial and the government should put this into practice at the earliest.

— M PRADYU, KANNUR via email