Chandigarh: Haryana chief minister Nayab Singh Saini on Saturday invited filmmakers and directors to shoot in the state, assuring them of not just locations but full govt support.Addressing Film Expo India at Bharat Mandapam in New Delhi, Saini said the state’s Film and Entertainment Policy-2022 provides a conducive ecosystem for filmmakers, including a subsidy of up to Rs 2 crore for films shot in Haryana.“Come to Haryana and the state government will provide you not only shooting locations, but also extend full support,” Saini said.Highlighting the growing strength of regional cinema, the CM said language was no longer a barrier for compelling stories, which could now reach audiences across linguistic and geographical boundaries.Saini said cinema was not merely entertainment, but a “mirror of society” and a powerful medium capable of influencing the thoughts and aspirations of younger generations. He traced India’s cinematic journey from Dadasaheb Phalke’s ‘Raja Harishchandra’ in 1913 to the present technology-driven global industry.He said India’s rich civilisational heritage, epics, folk traditions, village stories and diverse languages offered an enormous reservoir of content that could be taken to global audiences.Referring to the rapid transformation of filmmaking, Saini said AI, VFX, animation, gaming, virtual production, extended reality and OTT platforms had become integral to storytelling. He, however, cautioned filmmakers against losing the human and cultural connect while embracing technology.“The successful filmmaker of the future will embrace new technology with an open mind, while never losing touch with human emotions and cultural roots,” he said.Saini also endorsed Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s vision of “Create in India, Create for the World”, saying Indian talent and technology should take the country’s stories to global audiences.Film actors Mukesh Rishi, Preeti Sapru, Bindu Dara Singh and Puneet Issar, among others, attended the event.
