Mumbai, Feb 17: The government will not hesitate to consider a `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.
"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.
We are all proud of A R Rahman and other Indians associated with `Slumdog Millionaire`. But the song `Ma` in `Taare Zameen Par` was also very powerful. Why can`t we institute awards like the Oscars? Sharma asked.
Information and Broadcasting secretary, Sushma Singh said that there was a need to evolve a system where expressions of interest or inquiries coming to the ministry are put on track. She asked the film industry to suggest a system to evolve and channelise the process that will benefit both - the industry and the government.
Singh said the film industry should help the government by suggesting effective steps to take the co-production treaties signed so far forward.
Information and Broadcasting secretary said that the government had formulated a scheme to set a national centre for animation, gaming and VFX on Public Private Partnership.
The upgradation of the FTII Pune into a global film school will also be faciliated through the scheme, she said.
The ministry has also planned to set up a museum of moving images in the films division complex in Mumbai to track the development of the film industry, Singh said. Filmmaker and Chairman of FICCI-Entertainment Committee, Yash Chopra said, in the wake of global recession, the time has come for correction and introspection.
"We had become adventurous but now it is the turn for sacrifice so that the industry survives. I am sure we will rise again in a year`s time," he said.
Chopra also demanded a legislation which prohibits banning of films that have been given censor certificates.
"If state governments have problems with a film they should approach the censor board. There is a tendency in the last four years to raise questions about a film on the eve of its release," he said.
He also demanded uniformity in entertainment tax all over the country.
Filmmaker Karan Johar was appointed the co-chairman of the FICCI-Entertainment committee.
Bureau Report
For more spicy gossip, lifestyle news, latest pics & videos and more entertainment stories, log on to Spicezee.com »
