In 7 years, 189 Gujarati films got state aid of Rs 47 crore: Govt tells assembly

The amount of aid ranged between Rs 5 lakh and Rs 75 lakh depending on the “grade” of the film.

Raghavji Patel stated that 128 applications are pending for getting government support. (Photo: Tiwtter/@RaghavjiPatel)

The Gujarat government has provided assistance of Rs 47 crore to 189 Gujarati films since 2016, cabinet minister Raghavji Patel told the state legislature Friday.

“In order to provide financial assistance to Gujarati language films, the government had brought out a policy in 2016, which was later amended in 2019. Under this policy, 189 films have been given Rs 47 crore in assistance. Yesterday, Rs 10.77 crore was approved for 43 more films. This would take the number of films that received the assistance to 232,” said Agriculture Minister Patel, and added that the amount of aid ranges between Rs 5 lakh and Rs 75 lakh depending on the “grade” of the film.

Patel stated that 128 applications are pending for getting government support. “For availing of this assistance, the filmmakers have to make an application along with a host of documents which include the release date of the film, censorship certificate, the record of tickets sold, identification details of filmmakers, etc. Many times, these documents are not submitted,” Patel said.

The minister said the government also checks if 30 per cent of the total cost of the film has been spent in the state. “Of the total 127 pending applications, 36 applications were received after January 31,” he said. The minister said that a 13-member expert committee decides on granting the assistance.

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