MUMBAI: Information and Broadcasting Minister Manish Tewari recently announced that foreign filmmakers wishing to shoot in India would now find the experience hassle-free as the government is planning to provide them a single window clearance for their projects.
He said that the Ministry is planning to issue a notice soon to set up an inter-ministerial empowered committee that will provide a single-window clearance for foreign filmmakers who wish to shoot in India. This proposed panel will include representatives of the state governments and key central ministries.
While delivering the keynote speech at the release of the ‘Limca Book of Records 2013’ which is celebrates to 100 years of cinema Manish Tewari said:
“The creation of such an empowered committee would provide the platform and impetus to promote India as a filming destination across the world. This initiative is an important step in view of the country celebrating the commemoration of 100 years of Indian cinema,”
He further added that Justice Mudgal Committee has set up to review the mandate, and functioning of the Central Board of Film Certification (CBFC) and also recommend measures which will include statutory changes to enable the board to deal with the contemporary requirements of certification which will help increase transparency and efficiency. The committee is expected to submit its recommendations shortly.
These recommendations will further help the ministry to evaluate the legal manner of the certification process. Tiwari said: “The mandate of the committee was extremely comprehensive and would provide the roadmap for the future.”
The committee will also be revising the categories of certification, existing and proposed, under the Cinematograph (Amendment) Bill, 2013, and will also assess the mandate and functioning of Film Certification Appellate Tribunal (FCAT) in order to make it a more effective appellate body.
At the release of the ‘Limca Book of Records 2013’ Manish Tewari felicitated the ‘People of the Year’:
Actor Shabana Azmi, Cinematographer Santosh Sivan, Actor-Director-Choreographer Prabhu Deva, Assamese filmmaker Jahnu Barua, Wildlife Photographer and Documentary filmmaker Mike Pandey, and film Editor Sreekar Prasad for their achievements and their contribution to Indian Cinema
Manish Tewari concluded by calling the ‘Limca Book of Records 2013’ a true homage to the cinematic legacy of India. He said: “It has enabled the country to project the power of cinema across the globe and promote India’s image as a soft power,” he said.
