 "Col Rajyavardhan Singh Rathore")
While speaking at a session on media and entertainment during the ongoing Make in India week, Minister of State for Information and Broadcasting Rajyavardhan Singh Rathore said that the government is mulling over funding entries to international film festivals. While the details of the initiative are yet to be etched out, he informed that the ministry intends to create an eco-system with industry stakeholders, so that the money is used to deliver the intended results.
“When an Indian sportsperson or the national team wins a media or tournament in sports, it is a matter of pride for the entire nation. Similarly, when a creative product from India wins at the international stage like during the Cannes Film Festivals or the Oscars, it will bring pride to the entire nation. The government is working towards this and is looking to start funding entries to international film festivals,” he said.
The theme of the session was “Make in India, show the world”, implying exporting Indian media and entertainment properties globally. Rathore enlisted a number of initiatives taken by the government for both strengthening the media and entertainment industry in the country and facilitating the export of these products and related services to the world.
Last month, it was announced that public broadcaster Prasar Bharati, through its TV vehicle Doordarshan, will be launching a channel to serve as a platform to air independent documentaries, which otherwise do not have an effective means to reach the masses.
In order to encourage international studios to avail locations in India, the government is working towards single window clearance. While the going may be slow, it working on various aspects in this regard. It has recently approached the Ministry of External Affairs to allow a special visa for professionals travelling to India for scouting film and television shoot locations, said Rathore.
“We are a federal government and being at the Centre, we are trying to expedite processes whenever and wherever possible. In order to encourage state governments to do the same, this year, we are introducing a new category in the National Film Awards for the state that has taken most initiatives to be helpful towards the media and entertainment sector,” said Rathore.
He added that while TV and films are being given a push, even radio is among the focus areas for the I&B Ministry. Currently, FM radio covers around 45 per cent of the country and the ministry aims to take this to 65 per cent over the next two years.
