Not just big banners, destinations can target all platforms

While destinations from across the world are lining up to attract Indian filmmakers, they need a clear strategy and infrastructure in place, besides the financial incentives like tax rebates, Abhijeet Patil, Chairman of Globe Hoppers and an active player in bridging gap between destinations and Indian studios, tells India Outbound

Q What role do you play in helping filmmakers choose locations?

Shooting of films in various overseas locations has been going on since time immemorial. But as the film industry itself becomes more and more professional and as the young executives begin to call the shots, they take very pragmatic decisions based on the commercial value and not just the cinematographic or creative appeal. In this situation, there is a need for a catalyst with a very structured and scientific approach to choosing locations based on the criteria of the film studios is very essential.

We have been hosting a programme where the locations and the film studios come together and explore collaborations. And that way, if you see we are trying to scale it up, we are not happy just introducing one tourism board to somebody. We are looking at the big picture, bringing in the ambassadors, bringing in high commissioners, bringing in the Ministry of External Affairs to understand the potential of this segment. And I think in its eighth edition, we have kind of reached somewhere there.

How have you scaled it up and what are your takeaways?