Govt for providing stimulus to film industry: Sharma

The Government will not hesitate to consider 'stimulus' package for the film industry that has been affected by the financial downturn, Minister of State for External Affairs and Information and Broadcasting, Anand Sharma said today.

"There is a need for the government and the (film) industry to work together. We are talking of stimulus and not bailout and the film industry also requires the same attention like any other sector," Sharma said inaugurating the three-day Ficci-Frames conference here.

The Minister said the medium of cinema and media needed to be utilised for informing and sensitising public opinion on the forces of violence and terror that posed a great challenge to the country.

Sharma further stressed the need for films that were rooted and connected to social realities, culture, language, heritage and history. "Cinema can sensitise and help in creating an atmosphere where people have faith in the system," he said.

Acknowledging the international success of 'Slumdog Millionaire', Sharma said 'Taare Zameen Par' failed to get similar recognition as it was made in Hindi.