A number of Hindi and Bhojpuri films have benefitted from the Jharkhand Film Policy 2015 but regional and documentary filmmakers within the state haven’t had a fair chance so far.

While the state government has aided big banners, the local ones feel they are trapped in too much paperwork and corruption to avail of subsidy while filming regional cinema and documentaries.

To act as a bridge between the state’s filmmakers and producers, and the state government, and to facilitate a healthy dialogue between the two, 12 Jharkhand-based producers formed the Jharkhand Motion Picture Producers’ Association (JMPPA) a few days ago.

The founding members believe that an association on the lines of the Indian Motion Pictures Producers’ Association (IMPPA) Mumbai was a necessity to initiate a dialogue between filmmakers and the state government.

According to the Jharkhand Film Policy 2015, any movie shot 50 per cent in Jharkhand, is eligible to get Rs 1 crore from the government. More than two-thirds of a film’s shooting in the state enables the production house to get up to Rs 2 crore.

The decision on the subsidy is taken after the film is shown to the Jharkhand Film Technical Advisory Committee, which then decides on the sum of the grant.

Films with a budget of over Rs 8 crore are eligible for the subsidy.

“Since the inception of the Jharkhand Film Policy, many small producers have been trying to seek subsidy for their films but in vain. There are so many tribal filmmakers who have invested huge amounts of money in regional cinema but they are so trapped in paperwork that many avoid this route,” said Kumar Vivek, a Jamshedpur-based producer who is also the secretary of JMPPA.

Beyond making Jharkhand based filmmakers beneficiaries of the policy, the association aims to work for the benefits of artistes, with exclusive policymaking, organizing film festivals, workshops and empowering regional youth in the field of entertainment.

“There must be more than 50,000 artistes including actors, singers, musicians in Jharkhand but the government doesn’t have a policy for them. The association was formed to curb these problems and help the government in implementing their policy for local filmmakers too,” said Vivek.

Some movies that have so far availed of the subsidy include Hindi films Begum Jaan, A Death in the Gunj, Ranchi Diaries, Ajab Singh Ki Gajab Kahani, and Panchlait. Bhojpuri film Kashi Amarnath, Punjabi film Rupinder Gandhi 2: The Robinhood and Santhali film Rofa have also been beneficiaries.

The idea is to add more film producers from across all the 24 districts of the state so that they have a voice in their own state. Although another association – Jharkhand Film Nirmata Sangh exists, filmmakers say it isn’t too active.

“One of the main problems Jharkhand-based producers face is the lack of film releasing platforms in the state. Neither are there dedicated theatres that encourage regional cinema nor there any entertainment channels for the same. Also, the JMPPA can explore other platforms like OTT (over the top media services) to benefit filmmakers and artistes,” said Nikhil Sharda, a member of JMPPA.