Several states in India are pushing hard to attract foreign and local filmmakers to shoot in their locations, with Goa among them.
Gavin Dias, the deputy general manager of the Goa tourism development corporation, says Goa’s relatively small size and its variety of locations such as beaches and markets, make it an attractive spot for filming.
“Goa is one of the most cost-effective shooting locations in the world,” he says, adding that it charges rates of just 10,000 rupees (Dh588) a day for shooting permission in the state. More than 100 films have been shot in Goa this year, he added, including the Bollywood hit Chennai Express.
Filming brings direct revenues to states, such as spending on lodgings for crews, as well as helping to promote a location as a tourist spot.
Madhya Pradesh, Gujarat and Delhi are among the other states trying to make it easier for filmmakers to shoot there.
Some “state governments are giving a lot of promotions, incentives, subsidies”, says Shankar Mohan, the director of the International Film Festival of India.
“Some of these state governments have even formulated their own single window systems so that film producers within the state and those who come from outside the state have a single window clearance.”
Madhya Pradesh is giving huge discounts at state owned hotels and is offering free of charge shooting at some locations to attract productions.
“The state government has also decided that any movie that is filmed in Madhya Pradesh will be free from entertainment tax, so that is a big incentive for filmmakers,” says Raghwendra Kumar Singh, the managing director of Madhya Pradesh tourism authority.
On the downside, directors say tourism departments in India often do not understand the needs of filmmakers.
“There’s a lack of education within those departments about what we need,” says Anubhav Sinha, a Bollywood director.
“The Delhi tourism department has set up a cell for films. Now that cell should be regularly in touch with some filmmakers. They need a film-literate person liaising,” he says.
“Making films is very different from tourism. Our needs are very different.
“There needs to be more interaction and understanding. They will have to understand our requirements,” Mr Sinha says.
“They have to understand that I will have some bizarre requirements.”
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