FICCI FRAMES Fast Track 2022, 03 Shoot at sights in Rajasthan

Anand Tripathi, Additional Director, Department of Tourism, Government of Rajasthan invited the members of film fraternity to come and explore the hidden gems of Rajasthan and shoot in Rajasthan. Addressing the session 'Come, Shoot in Rajasthan' at FICCI FRAMES FAST TRACK 2022, in Mumbai, on 28 September, the second and last day of the convention, Tripathi highlighted the strength of the state the rich culture and legacy that would act as a perfect backdrop for films, TV serials and OTT platform shooting in India.

Tripathi also shared highlights of the newly launched Rajasthan Film Tourism Promotion Policy and various sops being offered to the film fraternity by the Rajasthan government for shooting in the state.

"We have set up a mechanism for giving permissions and allowing film shooting through single-window clearance. Our Tourism department is the nodal agency for clearance," said Tripathi, while adding that a subsidy up to Rs 2 crore or 15% of the total Qualified Cost of Production (QCOP), whichever is lower, would be provided under the Policy.

He further shared that the state government will exempt from all fees and charges at all state-owned properties, and 50% discount (up to Rs 10 lakh/one million maximum would be offered at government-owned hotels under the policy.

Tripathi further announced that the state will offer a scholarship of ₹50,000 to 10 students of Rajasthan, studying at the Film and Television Institute of India (FTII), Pune, and Satyajit Ray Film and Television Institute of India (SRFTI), Kolkata.

"The Film Facilitation Office is integrated online with the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) as well as with Railways. So, in Rajasthan, if one wishes to shoot at any ASI property or any Indian railways property, with whom we may not have integrated, one can always come into the film facilitation office and we will get them the requisite permissions," said Vikramjit Roy, Head, Film Facilitation Office (FFO), based in Mumbai.

Highlighting how the government can leverage food and content around food to promote itself, Celebrity Chef and Author Ranveer Brar, said, "The government needs to understand the soft power that the documentaries and cultural expressions bring to the table. Highlighting the aspect of soft power, Chef Brar further added, "As food people, we try and create this soft power that the people connect to, beyond the architecture and the grandeur. In times when we talk about culinary tourism, micro tourism, the connection to a place is much stronger when you connect to its people through its culture."

Actor, Producer and Distributor, Rockline Venkatesh, Line Producer of India Take One Productions Pravesh Sahni, and CEO of Producers Guild of India, Nitin Tej Ahuja were also present during the session. Rajasthan offers myriad sights for content makers. With such encouragements, some of them will surely be tempted to shoot at sights there. I have visited Rajasthan five times, and can vouch for its scenic grandeur and beauty. After trips to Jaipur and Jodhpur, I am waiting to tour Udaipur, Ajmer and Bikaner.