India also will promote India as a film shoot location.
By Dileep Thekkethil
The Information and Broadcasting Ministry (I&B) of India is planning to reward Indian films that compete in Oscars, Cannes, and Venice with the cash prize of Rs. 1 crore and Rs. 50 lakhs, to support talented film makers from the country.
The ministry has also put forward plans to promote India as a shooting destination. As part of this, I&B is currently in talks with the Ministry External Affairs (MEA) and the Home (MHA), to make the visa processing for foreign film crew easy so that they can examine locations in the country.
Rajyavardhan Rathore, the Minister of State for I&B, was quoted by The Indian Express saying, “a proposal has been readied to provide support to film-makers as they try to win awards in major international film festivals.”
The ministry has also proposed to provide assistance for the filmmakers to travel, exhibit and hire halls for screening their movies in different countries.
I&B ministry has proposed award of Rs. 1 crore to the movies that go to the Oscar and Rs. 50 Lakhs each for the movies that make their way Venice or Cannes, officials said.
According to I&B Ministry, if the movies from India get international awards, there are higher chances that the entertainment industry of the country gets a global boost.
Rathore added that his ministry has sought the assistance of the Ministry of Home Affairs and Military of External Affairs in creating a separate category visa that can support them to stay in India, thus facilitating them to go on a location hunt.
A committee will be set to look at aspects related to the implementation of the proposal, the officials said. The proposal, however, would need the nod of the Cabinet before it is put into practice, they added.