In an effort to promote India as a filming destination for film producers from other countries the Union information and broadcasting ministry has, in association with industry body Assocham, decided to create awareness regarding the legal and tax considerations in the country.
A detailed and thorough brochure has been prepared in collaboration with Assocham for the ready reference of producers planning to shoot in the country regarding the prevailing laws governing the movie industry, incentives offered by the government and intellectual property rights in the country.
Official sources stated that the initiative is likely to help producers trying to make movies in the country as they would have a ready reference material to look at. “They can consult the brochure which also details on which government departments to approach for seeking various clearances,” sources added. An attempt has also been made to provide addresses and phone numbers of various ministries, authorities and officials who are directly concerned with making such clearances. The I&B ministry had, during the Cannes Film Festival, also tried to showcase the country as a filming destination before foreign producers. The ministry had laid special emphasis on creating awareness regarding the protection of intellectual property rights in the country.
As part of implementing this plan the ministry has already accorded permission for shooting of about 100 feature films by foreign producers during the last three years. Some of the notable ones include Slumdog Millionaire, Eat Pray Love and A Mighty Heart.