Union Minister of Information and Broadcasting Anurag Singh Thakur announced on Sunday the establishment of a regional facilitation office of the Central Board of Film Certification (CBFC) in Chandigarh. The objective is to promote ease of doing business for filmmakers in the region.

Making this announcement at the closing ceremony of the Chitra Bharati Film Festival in Chandigarh today, Thakur highlighted that filmmakers in the region will now have access to facilities for screening their films and submitting cuts/modifications without the need to travel to Delhi or Mumbai for CBFC certification. This move, he emphasized, will further bolster the Punjabi film industry, according to a press release.

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Thakur also emphasized India’s growing prominence as a content hub and a preferred destination for both shooting and post-production for international films. He stated, “Today, India is being viewed as a content hub and we are becoming the preferred country for both shooting and post-production for international films. Parallely our own content is getting a lot of praise across the world.”

Highlighting the diversity and richness of Indian cinema, Thakur mentioned that over half of the 2500 films made worldwide each year are produced in India. He emphasized the global appeal of Indian cinema, spanning feature films, documentaries, short films, and serials. Thakur expressed confidence in the potential of films originating from the Punjab region and underscored the government’s decision to establish a CBFC facilitation office in Chandigarh to streamline the certification process and expedite film completion.

The Minister also touched upon the government’s initiative to enhance accessibility for differently-abled film enthusiasts by making cinemas more accommodating. Soliciting feedback from stakeholders, the government aims to formulate guidelines ensuring that individuals with hearing and visual impairments have equal opportunities to enjoy films.

Thakur reiterated Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s commitment to ensuring equal opportunities for all citizens, including those with disabilities. He highlighted the government’s efforts to release versions of films tailored for the differently-abled.

Addressing the issue of piracy, Thakur emphasized recent amendments to the Cinematograph Act aimed at combating film piracy. He announced the appointment of special nodal officers at all CBFC centers to combat piracy, with instructions to swiftly address complaints and remove pirated content from digital platforms within 48 hours. Thakur underscored piracy as a significant threat not only to the film industry but also to global creativity and innovation.

Reports indicate that the film industry suffers an annual loss of Rs 20,000 crore due to piracy.

Congratulating the organizers of the Chitra Bharati Film Festival, Thakur commended their efforts to promote young talent and inspire meaningful films reflecting India’s rich cultural heritage. He expressed anticipation for these films to feature prominently in leading film festivals worldwide in the near future. (ANI)