In November 2016, the Indian Govermnent launched the Film Facilitation Office, designed to offer a single-window system for filmmakers and to downplay the bureaucratic process. The National Film Development Corporation (NFDC), in an effort to entice more productions to film in the country.
India recently received a profile boost with the release of Garth Davis’s Lion, which gathered six nominations at the 89th Academy Awards, including Best Picture. The film was shot on location in Calcutta.
India’s federal government have introduced a new type of visa permit, designed exclusively with film professionals in mind. The new film (F) visa will allow for stays of up to one year and facilitate multiple entries into the country.
The country has had a reputation for lengthy and complex bureaucratic issues that can be off-putting for Hollywood studios. With the Film Facilitation Office and the new film visa in tow however, India is becoming increasingly film-friendly.
However, there are very few countries where you can shoot deserts, mountains, tropical jungles, white- sand beaches, remote tribal villages, sweeping plains and some of the most populous cities on Earth in one place. India offers all this and more.
Production incentives, timely permits, availability of local talent, production resources and infrastructure are key ingredients to attract foreign and local productions to shoot in a country. This will ensure retention of local productions within the country and help position India as an international filming destination.
Vijay Singh, CEO of Fox Star Studios in Mumbai
The weather is hot most of the year with regional variations. It is mostly tropical on the coast but dry in the north, east, west and central regions. The coolest weather lasts from December to February with mostly sunny days. It gets really hot between March and June. Monsoon rains occur in most regions in the summer anywhere between June and early October. In some regions these rains can be very destructive.
