With the intent to provide an institutional support to filmmakers, the government of Bihar on July 19 introduced the State’s first film promotion policy. The policy will ensure a single window clearance for all government permissions as well as providing for adequate security and safety arrangements to filmmakers. The policy also offers financial incentives for regional films made in languages such as Maithili, Bhojpuri, Magahi, Angika, and Bajjika.
“The cabinet today approved Bihar’s new film promotion policy. There is significant potential and numerous opportunities for filmmaking in Bihar. The proposal had come from the State’s Art, Culture, and Youth Affairs department,” additional chief secretary (cabinet secretariat) S. Siddharth said. The policy includes financial grants up to ₹4 crore for producing films, documentaries, and serials in regional languages. The policy also offers financial incentives for regional films in the Bhojpuri, Maithili, Magahi, Angika, and Bajjika languages.
The additional chief secretary of the Art, Culture, and Youth Affairs Department Harjot Kaur Bamhrah said that under the new film promotion policy, “filmmakers will receive assistance to make movies showcasing Bihar’s rich cultural heritage. Bihar’s scenic locations and adequate infrastructure would be attractions for filmmakers”.
Ms. Bamhrah also added to “setting up of an empowered committee and a film facilitation centre to streamline processes for the fraternity”.
The first film promotion policy of Bihar ensures a single window clearance as well “for all government permissions, security, and safety arrangements”.
“With this film promotion policy the biggest benefit for the State is that it will generate employment as filmmakers will come here, films will be made and local artists would get opportunity to work in films,” Patna based film critic Vinod Anupam said.
