'Most film-friendly state' National Award for Madhya Pradesh

BHOPAL: For the second time in five years, picturesque Madhya Pradesh has been awarded the "most film-friendly state" at the 68th National Film Awards 2020.
To make it a double delight, the award for 'best ethnographic film' in the non-feature category went to 'Mandal Ke Bol', a film directed by Rajendra Jangle and produced by Madhya Pradesh Tribal Museum on Baiga tribal life.
MP beat 12 other states to the 'most film-friendly' award. A 10-member jury, chaired by director Vipul Shah and comprising cinematographers Dharam Gulati and GS Bhaskar, actors Srilekha Mukherjee, A Karthikraja, VN Aditya, VG Thampi, Sanjeev Rattan, S Thangadurai and Nishigandha, chose the winners.
Chief minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan congratulated the people of MP, officials of tourism department and those associated with the film industry. "This truly resonates with our persistent efforts in expanding multifaceted development in the state," he tweeted, inviting tourists to land of beauty of natural and historical heritage.
Tourism and culture minister Usha Thakur called it a matter of pride and congratulated principal secretary, tourism, Sheo Shekhar Shukla and officials of the department. Shukla said it is a matter of pride for the entire state to win such a prestigious award. The MP government came out with a Film Tourism Policy in 2020, offering grants and exemptions, and a single-window clearance system to attract filmmakers. Due to this, more than 90 films, webseries and serials have been shot in the state.
"There are provisions of financial grant up to Rs 10 crore for international films, TV serials and web series, 25% or up to Rs 2 crore for feature films and 25% or up to Rs 1 crore for TV serials or web series. Also, a financial grant of Rs 40 lakh will be given for documentaries," said a tourism department official.
An additional financial grant of up to Rs 25 lakh is offered to local artists. Film crews get 40% discount on accommodation at hotels and resorts of the tourism department and there is a financial grant of up to 30% on film infrastructure development. Private investment is encouraged and reserved land is given for setting up film cities, film studios, skill development centers and others for the development of film industry in the state, said an official. TNN