Govt. working on new film policy to attract investments in the sector: Simanta Shekhar

Guwahati: The Assamese Film Industry is now at its best version of itself with a number of cinemas earning accolades from far and near.

The Chairman of the Assam State Film (Finance and Development) Corporation Simanta Sekhar spoke to Business Northeast (BNE) discussing on the new plans and projects of the corporation.

BNE: What strategies does the Assam State Film (Finance and Development) Corporation have in place to promote the growth of the film industry in the state?
Chairman: The Assamese Film industry is indeed a very talented film industry. We can see that it was started by the legendary filmmaker, lyricist and music director Jyoti Prasad Agarwala ji. That was with the beginning of Joymati Cinema. The time the Joymoti was designed, shot and released it was also the time of the beginning of the Indian film industry. This has been denoted by big cinema of Alam Ara. Of course, we have a very good space in all the aspects like technical, film actor, production also.
Chief Minister Dr Himanta Biswa Sarma has great vision under his supervision and guidance of making Assamese cinema in a remarkable position in the entire regional film industry of the country.

BNE: How does the corporation identify potential investment opportunities in the film industry, and what criteria are used to evaluate them?
Chairman:This is one of the most potential sectors where investors definitely can invest their money. We can see that digitalization of every platform has emerged with immense possibility of revenue sources. After the Covid, we are increasing the number of cinema halls from 80 now to 100 in the entire Assam. The Chief Minister is very much interested in opening lot of single screens as well as village screens also. Some mobile screen theatres will also be introduced soon. In that context, lots of investors have shown their interest to set up mobile cinema halls in all rural parts of Assam.

BNE: What measures are being taken to support local talent and help them gain exposure on a national and international level?
Chairman: Our corporation has organized three workshops recently. Those are designated workshops for filmmaking, script , production, direction, acting and to the endless field of film industry. We invited Bollywood filmmakers like Madhur Bhandarkar, Satish Kaushik, and some renowned technical persons too. We are planning a workshop maybe a laboratory for scriptwriting. It will be associated with some renowned institutions very soon. Thirdly, we are incentivizing Cinemas with the wish of the Chief Minister. We have also restarted the state film awards.

BNE: How does the corporation ensure transparency in its operations, particularly when it comes to funding and investment decisions?
Chairman: The government right now under the Chief Minister is always transparent in any matter. If we get any complaints or anything we take it very seriously. Especially at this time the people of Assam, film lovers, and film activists will definitely see some remarkable changes in Assam State Film (Finance and Development) Corporation’s involvement with the Government of Assam.

BNE: What challenges does the corporation face in supporting the development of the film industry in Assam, and how are these challenges being addressed?
Chairman: We have a lot of challenges. Challenges are part of a mission. However, we are particularly worried of miscommunication that is circulated by some false and fake news providers in social media. This is one of the serious challenges. I would like to request to such people not to harm by such actions of miscommunication.

BNE: How does the corporation work with other stakeholders in the film industry, such as filmmakers, producers, distributors, and exhibitors, to promote growth and development?
Chairman: We are definitely working with the stakeholders. We have worked with the Producers’ Guild, Producers’ Association, IMPA also, We have two other organization, FFA also. We are also working with Film Journalist Association. We are taking their advice, help, guidance, and wishes. Very shortly, we will attend a meeting with the cinema hall owners association and distributors to sort out some long pending issues for the screening and distribution of films.

BNE: What steps are being taken to attract private investment into the film industry in Assam, and how does the corporation facilitate this process?
Chairman: Right now, the Government of Assam is working on a film policy under the new film amendment policy. We need to add new points to the existing film policy. After Covid, the scenario has changed. Digitalization has impacted everywhere. Yes, we are in fact taking many steps to invite private entities. Definitely, it needs to be expressed in a bigger way in the near future.

BNE: How does the corporation measure the impact of its activities and investments on the film industry and the broader economy of Assam?
Chairman: If you are going for a calculation for a cinema, like last year we can mention one Assamese movie Dr Bezbaruah 2.0 has done tremendously good business. The movie earned nearly Rs 3 crore in very short span of time. No other business can earn that much of money within such a short time period. So, it has an impact on the economy of the people. In fact, the state government is also getting Goods and Services Tax (GST) out of it from the ticket sale. So, we contribute 9 percent of the GST as far as I am informed. Definitely, if the film industry prosper the state government will earn more GST out of it. The same GST money can be used in other social activities of the government.

BNE: What role does the corporation see for itself in promoting the cultural heritage and identity of Assam through the film industry?
Chairman: The department itself is centrifuged on the matter of Assamese cinema. The entire Assamese cinema defines the culture people, cultural heritage, places and the entire history of Assam. Assamese cinema is showcasing Assam in front of the other people of the country as well as the world. We could see that the department itself is helping out in that matter.

BNE: What plans does the corporation have for the future, and how will it continue to support the growth and development of the film industry in Assam?
Chairman: We have a very clear vision on that. As a film finance and development organization we have a mandate of giving loans to the film producers. With this interview I would like to approach all the filmmakers who really want to have a cinema can ask for loan money in a subsidized rate with us. Secondly, we can help you in consultation of the pre-budgeting and budgeting of a movie. Thirdly, we can help the producers are directors in screening as well as in the distribution of the movie. Fourthly, we can help in informing on awards and other events linked to the cinema. Fifthly, we can help in accumulating all the information for us. We can help in any way out that can be useful and comes under our mandate.

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