The Victorian government has announced a special funding for the Indian film industry to come and make films in Victoria.
“If re-elected, the state will establish its first-ever dedicated Bollywood Attraction Fund,” Victorian Premier Daniel Andrews said at the event where he hoisted the Indian flag with Indian film actress Rani Mukherji as part of the Indian Film Festival of Melbourne at Federation Square in Melbourne.
“The $3 million fund will help attract Indian film projects to our state, with Film Victoria working closely with India’s biggest production studios, and offering grants worth up to 25 per cent of their spend in Victoria,” he announced.
He added the investment is expected to attract a minimum of four blockbuster Bollywood films to the state over the next four years, growing the local film industry, creating local jobs and bringing Victoria and India closer together.
Eclipsing Hollywood, India's film industry is the biggest in the world, last year recording a 27 per cent increase in revenue.
Victoria has previously played host to a number of Indian film productions, including box office blockbuster Chak De India, Bhaag Milkha Bhaag and Salaam Namaste – the first Indian movie ever to be filmed entirely in Australia.
Premier Daniel Andrews said, “Thanks to the countless contributions of our Indian communities, ours is a multicultural success story.”
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“This investment will grow Victoria’s film industry, grow Victorian jobs and bring our two nations even closer.”
“As the proud home of our nation’s biggest Indian community, it’s only fitting that we’re home to Australia’s Bollywood industry too,” Minister for Creative Industries Martin Foley said.
Actress Rani Mukherji, who was the chief guest at the event besides Premier Andrews, sang a Bollywood song for the Premier after the announcement.
