India to get its film commission soon

New Delhi, Aug 1 (IANS) The country will soon have a film commission offering a single window clearances to filmmakers to shoot in India, Nirupama Kotru, director, Information and Broadcasting Ministry, said Wednesday.

The I and B Ministry is working with the ministry of tourism to set up the commission.

"We are going to set up a film commission that will offer single window clearance, so that filmmakers don't have to run from one place to another seeking permissions to shoot a film," Kotru said at the ongoing 12th Osian's Cine-fan Film Festival. She was speaking at a panel discussion on "Filmmaking in India".

"We are in talks with state governments for offering subsidies to the filmmakers too. We are also trying to create a database that will have all the information regarding line producers, or other technicians across different states. We wish to give filmmakers an easy ride than a nightmarish experience," she added.

Kotru said they are trying to rope in people from the Indian film industry to be part of the commission.

"We are trying to rope in people from the industry too, for instance to build a database, and what all facilities are required," she said.

Hina Usman of the ministry of tourism added that they are trying hard to promote film tourism in India.

"Ministry of tourism is trying very hard to promote film tourism in India. When we go to watch a film we also enjoy the beautiful locales where the film is shot," she said.

"There is a lot that India has to offer in terms of locales and that is what we are trying to market," she added.

The commission is likely to be functional in three to four months.