Developing an arena for promoting regional cinema, Haryana all set to develop a film city in Gurgaon

Chandigarh, October 27: Encompassing a scenic beauty and attracting more visitors, Haryana Chief Minister Manohar Lal Khattar on Friday launched the state’s first film policy in Gurgaon, looking to develop Haryanvi cinema and talent, and making the state a favoured destination for filmmakers from other industries.

Among other things, the policy implies the creation of a Film City in Haryana. “Haryana Film Cell (HFC)”, consisting of government officers, professionals, and experts from the film industry, will be set up under the policy to create “incentive structures” to make Haryana a preferred destination. It will also work on the “branding of Haryana” in films and narratives surrounding those films.

 

The policy, aims to propel the development of infrastructure in the state, including the setting up of film and television studios with production and post-production facilities, upgrading film and television institutes, and setting up “theatres and alternate exhibition fora”, the latter implying “traveling cinemas” intended to make films accessible to people in far-flung and rural areas.

In addition, the policy also aims to ensure development of shooting places by identifying and developing potential shooting locations. The policy will help the film industry and business in the state, but we expect it to also benefit the people of Haryana. If the state attracts more interest from various film industries, (then) employment opportunities for the youth as well as opportunities for skill development will open up. In addition, films can also help to inculcate good values in a society.

Speaking after the launch, Khattar emphasised the importance of cinema in promoting “unity in the country”, saying, “Regional cinema must be encouraged. Understanding each other’s lifestyle, language and culture is critical in maintaining the unity of the country, and such cinema can help with this.”

As part of the film policy, the state government will establish a Film City in Haryana on a “public-private partnership” basis, and will also form a “Haryana State Film Archive” in collaboration with State University of Performing and Visual Arts, Rohtak, to “protect and preserve all past and present film material produced in the state”.