UP woos filmmakers with new film policy

To promote the film industry in Uttar Pradesh, the state government on Tuesday announced a new film policy. Under the new norms, the government would provide a grant of Rs 2 crore to a film producer, if more than 50 per cent of the film is shot in the state. In the existing policy, a producer is paid Rs 1 crore if 75 per cent of the film is shot in Uttar Pradesh.

“The policy has been modified and made more attractive by adding fresh clauses to encourage filmmakers”, Uttar Pradesh Principal Secretary (Information and Publicity), Navneet Sehgal, told the media after a Cabinet meeting chaired by Chief Minister Akhilesh Yadav had approved the new policy.

Besides, Rs 2 crore would be given if a producer shoot his second film in the state. While the amount would be raised to Rs 2.5 crore and Rs 2.75 crore for third and fourth films respectively, the grant would be hiked to Rs 3 crore on subsequent films.

However, the grant would be subject to the ceiling of 25 per cent of the total cost of producing a Hindi film and up to 50 per cent of the cost of a Bhojpuri, Braj, Bundeli and Awadhi flicks.

At the same time, if five main lead actors of the film belong to Uttar Pradesh, an additional amount of Rs 25 lakh will be given to the producers. This special grant would be raised to Rs 50 lakh, if all actors hail from the state.

Moreover, if the storyline of the film touched the state’s culture, tourism and heritage as central theme, an additional grant of Rs 50 lakh will be given to the producer. An additional grant of Rs 50 lakh would be given if post-production work is done in the state. Such facilities are available in Noida.

To encourage film institutes, the government would give grant of Rs 50 lakh if such centres are opened in Uttar Pradesh with the exception of Noida and Greater Noida.