With a view to give thrust to regional cinema, Gujarat Government today announced a new improved policy to promote and encourage production of quality films in Gujarati Cinema, popularly known as ‘Dhollywood’.
Ever since the dawn of multiplex culture, there has been growing demand for urban Gujarati films and the new policy of Gujarat government is expected to address these demands by offering financial assistance and support to the aspiring filmmakers.
Aimed at ushering in a new era of Gujarati cinema, the new policy has been formulated under the guidance of noted personalities from the entertainment world. Besides noted actors Mr Manoj Joshi, Mr Naresh Kanodia, Ms Swapna Waghmare Joshi and Ms Apara Mehta, other prominent names include director Mr Abhishek Jain, musician MrGaurang Vyas, script writer Mr Mihir Bhuta and several others.
Salient Feature of the New Policy for Gujarati Films:
Quality and public perception of the film has been given the top most priority in the new policy.
- A Film Screening Committee comprising of 10 experts will be setup to assess every film.
- Besides Film Screening Committee, public response to the film will be taken into consideration in the assessment of the film.
- Based on the assessment of the committee and public response, films will be given grades.
- On the basis of the grades, the filmmaker will receive financial assistance ranging from Rs 50 lakh to Rs 5 lakh.
- Children’s Film and films revolving around the subject of ‘Women Empowerment’ will receive additional 25 per cent financial assistance.
- Gujarati films that receive Government of India’s ‘Rajat Kamal’ award will be given Rs 1 crore reward.
- Similarly, any Gujarati film that wins award at International stage will be given reward ranging from Rs 5 crore to Rs 2 crore.
- Financial assistance and support will be extended to a film only if it is shot on 35mm or has 2K Resolution/Higher Format.
- Alongside maintaining the resolution and quality of the picture, film should have Sound Recording Digital Surround Sound 5.1 (Dolby Digital/ Dolby SR/ DTS/ DTSE) or upgraded technology.
- As primary requisite to avail benefits of the new policy, film should be having minimum 100 minutes running time.
The new policy will encourage production of good-quality Gujarati films that will help spread essence of Gujarati culture. Not only will it help take Gujarati culture far and wide, policy by attracting more and more audience towards Gujarati cinema willencourage use of Gujarati language among the youth.Considering several technicians are required during the entire filmmaking process, increase in the number of Gujarati films will also generate employment; thus giving better employment opportunities to the youth. Boosting prospects of the Gujarati cinema, the new policy will encourage the filmmakers to make Gujarati films that will put Dhollywood on par with other regional cinemas.
