Central government to promote film technology

Televisionpoint.com Correspondent | Chennai
The Central government will allocate around Rs 200 crore to promote the use of new technology in the southern film industry. The government will also spend Rs 50 crore to set up a centre of excellence for animation, gaming and visual effects.

Speaking to Televisionpoint.com, V. B. Pyarelal, joint secretary, Information and Broadcasting ministry, said, "The centre of excellence will be built through public private partnership (PPP) and will promote talent in the entertainment sector through specific courses in animation, digitisation, and visual effects."

However, the official said the government has not decided on the location of the centre, which may include any city of the four southern states.

Urging the film industry to join hands with the government to preserve old movies, Pyarelal said, "The ministry will also be setting up a Moving Image Museum in Mumbai. It will have interactive gadgets, costumes and materials used in the film sector and will preserve the heritage of the Indian film industry."

S. Ramasundaram, chairman and managing director, The Tamil Nadu Industrial Development Corporation Ltd (TIDCO), said that TIDCO would soon come forward to set up a film city and studio in the Tamil Nadu state through a PPP approach or joint venture mode.

Today, the Indian film industry is the largest in the world in terms of ticket sales, and earnings in Indian film industry are worth around $ 2.3 billion in 2007. Around 16 million Indians watch see film in theatres everyday in India, and this industry provides employment to around one crore people.