More films to be shot in India, Bangladesh: Minister

Mumbai, March 15 (IANS) Bangladesh's Minister of Information Hasanul Haq Inu Friday said film buffs in India and Bangladesh can now look forward to seeing movies filmed in each other's countries.

Speaking at a B2B conference 'Shoot at Site', organised by the Federations of Indian Chambers of Commerce and Industries (Ficci), Inu said that in spite of problems besieging South Asia, India and Bangladesh had great filmmakers who developed the industry tremendously.

"It has become apparent that media has influenced tourism in the 21st century in many ways. One such media is film," he said.

The conclave is aimed at helping stakeholders discover the benefits of shooting in India and participating countries from across the globe with experts, decision-makers and line producers.

Presentations, interactive panel discussions and B2B meetings at the conclave highlighted shooting spots, production facilities and services in both countries.

In his address, Inu reminisced about Bangladesh's journey since its independence in 1971. He recalled how three million Bangladeshis and 8,000 Indian soldiers laid down their lives during the struggle. He paid tribute to the martyrs.

He also saluted the leadership of the then prime ministers of India Indira Gandhi and founder of Bangladesh Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rehman that won the country its freedom.

Inu also said Bangladesh has a rich biodiversity that offered a natural invitation to make films. He regretted that no film had yet been made on Bangladesh's liberation struggle.

He called upon producers, directors and investors to consider making a film on the War of Liberation, which he said was an epic war.

A Ficci-Yes Bank study on 'Film Tourism: India as the Next Hot Spot' and an Ernst & Young report on 'Roadmap to Single Window Clearance for Film Production in India' were also released at the conference.

Over 100 B2B meetings with stakeholders in the film production and various state government tourism departments were held at the forum.

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