A delegation of the Indian Motion Picture Producers’ Association (IMPPA) led by president Abhay Kumar Sinha and consisting of senior vice president Sushama Shiromanee and FMC general secretary Nishant Ujjwal had a productive meeting with the additional chief secretary, department of Art, Culture and Youth, Bihar, Harjot Kaur Bamhrah, when they were invited for a meeting on 2nd February in response to the various letters sent by IMPPA to the chief minister of Bihar, seeking a meeting to discuss facilities and subsidies for films shot in Bihar. The director, directorate of cultural affairs, Ruby, was also present at the meeting.
During the meeting, Harjot Kaur Bamhrah mentioned that the Bihar Film Policy had almost been finalised and the remaining steps for its finalisation would be carried out post the formation of the new cabinet. More importantly she assured the IMPPA delegation that all provisions proposed by IMPPA for the benefit of film producers, including subsidy, single window clearance, free locations, tax exemptions etc. would be incorporated in the Film Policy, if possible. She welcomed inputs from IMPPA to refine the policy further and ensure an industry-friendly policy.
Another significant aspect discussed was the requirement to make it mandatory for exhibitors to exhibit regional films in cinemas, which would prove to be a positive development for regional cinema and its visibility. It was also mentioned by the IMPPA delegation that cinema halls in the state were facing huge challenges and finding it difficult to survive, and if provision was made in the film policy for granting subsidy and tax exemptions to cinema halls, more new cinemas would be encouraged to start business, besides ensuring that the old cinema halls did not get demolished due to non-availability of government help.