Mumbai: Mahindra & Mahindra has collaborated with Biascope Entertainment to set up a script lab structure. The initiative, called Sankalan, will invite entries of concepts for feature films via a competition.

Biascope Entertainment is an NGO that facilitates a platform where knowledge can be shared on all aspects of cinema and a way can be paved for a defined filmmaking culture and movement in the country.

Mahindra Media and Entertainment Business CEO Andrey Purushottam said, "Sankalan is an opportunity, which will help nurture ideas and concepts for films into full blown scripts that eventually be made into films."

"Contestants are invited to send in their concepts for feature films–live action or animation," he said and added that 24 best entries will be selected for one to one sessions with the panel comprising representatives from Mahindras, Biascope Entertainment, writers and directors.

"Script writers Anurag Kashyap, Anjum Rajabali and Sriram Raghavan will select and mentor the shortlisted candidates to transform the fresh ideas into feature film scripts over a period of nine months," said Biascope Entertainment event director Anupama Bose.

Purushottam added, "Mahindras intend to give scripts and script writers the importance they deserve in order to create really good, entertaining and meaningful cinema."

"The 12 finalists, out of the 24 entries, will be given stipends so that they can concentrate only on developing their scripts and their expenses can be taken care of," said Kashyap.  

Raghavan added, "We keep saying that there is a tremendous lack of good scripts in our country. Hopefully, this initiative will help attract new ideas and writers. There must be so many people all over the country who have stories to tell but perhaps don’t know how exactly to go about it."
These scripts would be then be further developed and produced by Mahindra Media and Entertainment business. The last date of submission of concepts is 19 July.