Maharashtra Government To Accord Industry Status To Entertainment Sector

Now that the Uttar Pradesh government has announced its plans of setting up country’s biggest film city in the state, Maharashtra government has also made some big announcements regarding the entertainment industry.

The Maharashtra government is planning to expedite the process of according industry status to the sector, form new policies and declare rebate in shooting charges. This decision was taken in a meeting chaired by cultural affairs minister Amit Deshmukh on October 22.

Mr. Deshmukh has directed the Maharashtra Film, Stage and Cultural Development Corporation Ltd. to prepare a draft of the policy which will cover all aspects dealing with various platforms like films, theater, TV shows and OTT content.

The film policy will be all-encompassing. It will consider simplification of taxation, increasing screens, fiscal incentives, changing technology, generation of skilled manpower, etc. Webinars to discuss the above points will be held between all stakeholders from November 5 to 7.

All film and television industry work came to a halt during the lockdown owing to the pandemic. The Maharashtra government is already offering a rebate in shooting charges at Film City, Mumbai, in wake of the lockdown.