Prasoon Joshi to lead I&B Ministry cinema panel as Centre pushes sweeping reforms
The Centre has appointed Prasoon Joshi to chair a study group on Indian cinema's future. The move pairs policy review with model state regulations to expand screens and address funding and technology gaps.
In a major move aimed at strengthening India's film industry, the government on Monday appointed lyricist and screenwriter Prasoon Joshi to chair a high-level study group that will help shape the future of Indian cinema. The Ministry of Information and Broadcasting (MIB) also announced a new regulatory framework to help states fast-track the opening of more cinema screens across the country.
The decisions were taken at a high-level review meeting chaired by Union Information and Broadcasting Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw in New Delhi.
The Prasoon Joshi-led panel will comprise industry experts and technology partners, and has been tasked with studying the opportunities and challenges facing the Indian film industry. It will submit its recommendations to the ministry within three months.
The committee will examine ways to make Indian films more competitive globally, assess the impact of emerging technologies such as Artificial Intelligence and virtual production, and suggest how filmmakers can adopt these tools. It will also explore ways to improve access to institutional finance, identify newer funding models for film production, and address the challenges filmmakers face in raising money for production and distribution.
The panel will consult filmmakers, exhibitors, producers, state governments and other stakeholders before recommending a long-term policy framework for the growth of Indian cinema.
Alongside the announcement, the ministry also rolled out Model State Cinema Regulations for adoption by state governments.
Since cinema regulation falls under the State List, states currently follow different rules and approval processes for setting up theatres. According to the ministry, these inconsistencies have slowed the growth of cinema infrastructure, particularly in tier-2 and tier-3 cities and rural areas. The model regulations aim to simplify approvals, encourage investment in new cinema screens and create a more uniform regulatory framework across the country.
The ministry said the two initiatives are intended to modernise India's cinema ecosystem by addressing long-standing challenges in funding, technology adoption and exhibition infrastructure, while helping Indian films compete more effectively on the global stage.
In a major move aimed at strengthening India's film industry, the government on Monday appointed lyricist and screenwriter Prasoon Joshi to chair a high-level study group that will help shape the future of Indian cinema. The Ministry of Information and Broadcasting (MIB) also announced a new regulatory framework to help states fast-track the opening of more cinema screens across the country.
The decisions were taken at a high-level review meeting chaired by Union Information and Broadcasting Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw in New Delhi.
The Prasoon Joshi-led panel will comprise industry experts and technology partners, and has been tasked with studying the opportunities and challenges facing the Indian film industry. It will submit its recommendations to the ministry within three months.
The committee will examine ways to make Indian films more competitive globally, assess the impact of emerging technologies such as Artificial Intelligence and virtual production, and suggest how filmmakers can adopt these tools. It will also explore ways to improve access to institutional finance, identify newer funding models for film production, and address the challenges filmmakers face in raising money for production and distribution.
The panel will consult filmmakers, exhibitors, producers, state governments and other stakeholders before recommending a long-term policy framework for the growth of Indian cinema.
Alongside the announcement, the ministry also rolled out Model State Cinema Regulations for adoption by state governments.
Since cinema regulation falls under the State List, states currently follow different rules and approval processes for setting up theatres. According to the ministry, these inconsistencies have slowed the growth of cinema infrastructure, particularly in tier-2 and tier-3 cities and rural areas. The model regulations aim to simplify approvals, encourage investment in new cinema screens and create a more uniform regulatory framework across the country.
The ministry said the two initiatives are intended to modernise India's cinema ecosystem by addressing long-standing challenges in funding, technology adoption and exhibition infrastructure, while helping Indian films compete more effectively on the global stage.
