Bihar has been able to draw attention as a viable destination for filmmaking at the ongoing 53rd International Film Festival of India (IFFI) in Goa and several filmmakers have evinced interest in shooting films in the state or making films on the state, according to state officials who are attending the event that began on November 20 and concludes on November 28.
Some of the filmmakers interested in doing films in the state include producer-director Kabir Khan of the Kabul Express and Bajrangi Bhaijaan fame, actor and producer Sanjay Suri of the Jhankar Beats fame, and actor Pankaj Tripathi, who hails from Bihar, officials said.
Besides, the Bihar Pavilion at the ongoing film festival also had as its guests some leading investors in films, television and OTT platforms.
Government of Zimbabwe has also expressed interest in future collaboration with the state government for a film to showcase the history of African countries.
“Though Bihar is participating in the international film festival for the first time, its aesthetic charm has been able to draw attention of many filmmakers and directors,” said Jitendra Kumar Rai, the state’s art and culture minister, who attended the festival.
Deepak Anand, additional secretary at the culture department, said many producers are also eager to do films in Bihar. “Kabir Khan wanted to know about the film policy drafted by the state government. Sanjay Suri promised to his next film in Bihar,” he said.
A major concern of most of the filmmakers is the safety of the film crew and the technical support required for filmmaking, he said.
Bandana Preyashi, secretary at the culture department, said a film policy has already been drafted by the Bihar State Film Development and Finance Corporation. “The state government will be providing institutional support at all levels. All arrangements will be made so that film crew members feel safe and secure while working in Bihar,” she said.
While the state film corporation will be offering subsidy as incentive for filmmaking in the state, a single-window system has also been promised for all the government-level clearances needed for filmmaking, she said.
Some of the best-known actors in the Hindi film industry hailing from Bihar are Manoj Bajpayee and Pankaj Tripathi.
