I&B ministry may give up to Rs 1 crore to Indian film competing in Oscar

New Delhi: An Indian film competing for Oscars may get around Rs 1 crore while those in contention for an award at Cannes or Venice may get around Rs 50 lakh, as the I&B ministry is planning to create a fund to support Indian film-makers bid to gain recognition abroad.

In another move to promote India as a film shooting destination, the ministry has approached Home and External Affairs Ministries, seeking a special category visa for foreign film-makers who want to examine locales in the country.

Minister of State for I&B Rajyavardhan Rathore told reporters, "a proposal has been readied to provide support to film-makers as they try to win awards in major international film festivals."

The minister said that as per the proposal, the Centre may provide assistance to such filmmakers for travelling, exhibiting their movies, hiring of halls etc in different countries.

As per the I&B ministry's proposal a film going to Oscar may get up to Rs 1 crore while a film going to festivals like Venice or Cannes, may get up to Rs 50 lakh, officials said.

If Indian movies win more international awards, it will help in providing a boost to country's entertainment industry globally, they said. Rathore also said the I&B ministry has suggested to MHA and MEA, that a separate category visa should be created for foreign filmmakers to facilitate their visits to the country, so that Indian places are promoted as global shooting locales.

A committee may be formed which may look at aspects related to implementation of the proposal, the officials said. The proposal, however, would need the nod of the Cabinet before it is put into practice, they added.