Overview
- The Ministry of Information and Broadcasting created a high-level study group chaired by Prasoon Joshi, which the ministry announced Monday to review opportunities and challenges for Indian cinema.
- The panel has a three-month mandate to consult industry experts and technology partners and to recommend a long-term policy framework for production, distribution, financing and infrastructure.
- The group will assess the impact of emerging technologies such as artificial intelligence and virtual production and will advise how filmmakers can access institutional finance and new funding models.
- The ministry has circulated Model State Cinema Regulations to all state governments and asked them to adopt the rules because cinema licensing falls under the state list and inconsistent rules have blocked screen growth.
- If states adopt the model rules and follow the panel’s recommendations, the likely effects would be faster approvals for new theatres in smaller towns, clearer rules for distributors and producers, and a government-backed push to modernize film technology and financing.