Our vision is to make Bihar a prominent film destination, says Deputy CM Vijay Kumar Sinha
BJP MP and actor Manoj Tiwari urged filmmakers to shoot in Bihar without compromising on quality
Bihar government envisions to make the state a prominent film destination in the country, Deputy Chief Minister Vijay Kumar Sinha has said.
Speaking at ‘Bihar Film Conclave 2024’ organised by Bihar State Film Development and Finance Corporation, Sinha said, “Our vision is to make Bihar a prominent film destination.”
The minister highlighted the vital role films play in cultural preservation and public awareness. “You have the talent to bring Bihar’s heritage to the world stage,” he told the artists.
BJP MP and actor Manoj Tiwari urged filmmakers to shoot in Bihar without compromising on quality. He called for the renovation of cinema halls in the state and suggested that if the Bihar govt establishes a film city, he would be willing to set up a studio there.
Another actor-politician, Ravi Kishan, expressed his joy at the successful organisation of the event after a 20-year-long endeavour, thanking the Bihar govt on behalf of the Bhojpuri film industry. Highlighting the importance of security for film shoots, he urged the govt to provide all necessary amenities within the state and suggested implementing a one-window clearance system to ensure filmmakers receive all services from a single point.
Development commissioner of Bihar, Chaitanya Prasad, said the Bihar Film Promotion Policy aims to establish the state as a key hub for film production by creating the necessary infrastructure and job opportunities. He added that under the policy, filmmakers shooting official films in Hindi or regional languages in Bihar would receive financial assistance and grants ranging from Rs 2 crore to Rs 4 crore — one of the highest in the country.
Incentives for Film Shooting
While many states have capped the subsidy amount at Rs. 2.50 crore per film, the Bihar government will offer subsidy of up to Rs. 4 crore. Besides the monetary assistance, the state is offering other concessions and facilities to producers desirous of shooting in the state. Those films which are shot more than 75% in Bihar would be eligible for more concessions, it was explained. The deputy chief minister added that it was his dream to make Bihar a preferred shooting destination in times to come.
The Bihar film policy was spelt out in detail at the conclave which was organised by the art, culture and youth department of the Bihar State Film Development & Finance Corporation. It was attended, among others, by Bhojpuri film actors Ravi Kishan, Manoj Tiwari, Kunal Singh, Pankaj Jha, Akshara Singh, Akhilendra Mishra, Kranti Prakash Jha and Manoj Singh Tiger, and filmmaker Avinash Das. IMPPA president Abhay Sinha was also present. Development commissioner of Bihar, Chaitanya Prasad, said that actors who worked in films made in languages spoken in Bihar would be entitled to get employment. Besides Vijay Kumar Sinha and Chaitanya Prasad, other government officials like secretary of art and culture department, Dayanidhan Pandey, and general manager of Bihar State Film Development & Finance Corporation, Rahul Kumar, also attended the conclave.
Manoj Tiwari said, he was keen to start a production office in Bihar. If the state government were ready to invest in a film city in Patna, he added, he would forthwith start a studio too. According to the actor-MP, shooting activity would ensure employment to the local people and would give a fillip to the hotel, transport and allied industries. Star-MP Ravi Kishan explained that Bihar boasted of beautiful locations. He added that after the announcement of its film policy by the Uttar Pradesh government, the number of film shootings being held in Gorakhpur (in U.P.) alone had gone up phenomenally. He explained that film actors shooting in U.P. were being provided terrific security.
Actor Kunal Singh rued the fact that many cinemas in the state were in pitiable condition. He felt, the government should also announce concessions to encourage more cinemas in the state and for the upgradation and renovation of cinemas. Abhay Sinha appealed to the government for a regional office of the Central Board of Film Certification in Bihar.
