Odisha Hopes Its New Film Policy Will Boost Tourism Sector

Panaji: A senior Odisha government official on Thursday said the state's new Film Policy providing incentives for movie shootings will boost tourist footfalls.

The policy has been designed to increase tourist arrivals in Odisha and revive the key industry, said Nitin Jawale, Managing Director, Odisha Film Development Corporation (OFDC).

In March this year, the Odisha government unveiled its Film Policy which aims to provide subsidy up to Rs 2.5 crore to films that promote the state, its culture, heritage as a tourist destination, Jawale told reporters on the sidelines of the ongoing International Film Festival of India (IFFI) in Goa.

He said operational guidelines have been prepared for filmmakers, informing them about dos and don'ts to avail the benefit of the subsidy.

"The response for the subsidy has been good as more than 20 filmmakers have already submitted their proposals, he said.

Chairman of Odisha Film Development Corporation Satyaprath Tripathy said Odishas film industry is 83 years old and annually 30-40 films are produced in the state.

He said promotion of film shootings in the state will also boost allied sectors.

Odisha Tourism Director Sachin Jadhav said the eastern state has a lot to offer to holiday-makers.

Be it the virgin environs of Odishas beaches and Chilka lake, the tranquillity of the Diamond Triangle, Buddhist Circuit, the unique synthesis of the modern and traditional in Smart Temple City of Bhubaneshwar or the spiritual ethos of Puri shooting films here is sure to give filmmakers greater cinematic output a lower cost," Jadhav said.