Click to play videoLondon: Bollywood has an everlasting love affair with Britain- be it locations or the large NRI market and now this bond will be further strengthened by the Indo-UK co production treaty which is expected to be ratified early next year. This week, the treaty was launched in Trafalgar square on the sets of a Bollywood flick
Director Vipul shah has been shooting in London for his next film london dreams starring Ajay Devgan and Salman Khan. This week, while shooting in Trafalgar square, Shah and Devgan took some time out to meet British culture minister Barbara Follett to publicise the recent bi-lateral co production treaty between India and the UK.
“Indian film makers who want to make films in Britain will not have to pass, what is called the cultural test in order to claim our film tax relief. Now that can significantly cut the costs of making films. The other thing is they will be able to access funds like national lottery.
Also reduce the bureaucracy, which can be quite daunting and of course access our infrastructure and industry,” says, British Culture Minister, Barbara Follett.
As per the treaty, a film co-produced by an Indian film maker will qualify for the same tax breaks and grants as their British counterparts. So, films with a budget of less than £20 million will get 20% tax relief.
British filmmakers will now get direct access to processing labs in India, which means cost-cutting for them a well. While this treaty seems a good start, filmmakers like Shah say there is room for improvement.
“My reservation was that it’s necessarily a co production film, that means if I am an independent producer wanting to make a film, I can't be part of the treaty.I would like to see that clause coming out and allowing a production to function on its own,” says Filmmaker, Vipul Shah.
And while the filmmakers from both countries wait for the treaty to be ratified early next year, for Indian actors, London it seems is a favourite overseas destination.
“I enjoy the experience. This time Vipul has organised it really well with the local teams etc,” says Ajay Devgan.
Every year, about 60 Indian films are released in the UK generating revenues between £16- £18 million for the Indian film industry.
Most of them are big Bollywood productions. But once this treaty is ratified, one hopes even smaller producers can make the most of the opportunities.
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