Karnataka to give incentives to films shot with tourism spots of the state

from the film Munguru Male

Karnataka government is planning to provide incentive for filmmakers who showcase the state’s tourist spots in their films. A ‘Film Tourism Policy’ will be framed in this regard.

Recently Kannada film Mungaru Male, which captured the beauty of the Fog falls, has induced tourists to visit the falls in large groups. Authorities say the inflow of tourists to the waterfall has increased dramatically after the release of the film

Jogg Falls

“The main intention is to encourage filmmakers to shoot in Karnataka’s famous tourism destinations so that those destinations get publicity in different parts of the State as well as the country. This would help draw more visitors to the tourism destinations and help strengthen the State’s tourism sector, said Krishna Byre Gowda, Law and Parliamentary Affairs Minister.  He was speaking to the media after a Cabinet meeting.

“We have seen tourist destinations abroad attracting visitors after having been featured in movies. This policy is aimed at promoting tourist destinations in Karnataka by providing incentives to filmmakers,” he added

Jogg falls in the movie

The incentive will vary between Rs 1 to Rs 2.5 crore based on several factors, according to the minister.

The films should comply with the qualification norms set forth by the ministry to achieve the incentives.  First of all, the film must portray at least three out of 319 tourist destinations that the government has identified in its tourism policy. It was also stipulated that the film must be shot on a budget amounting to Rs 5 crore or more in order to be considered eligible for the incentive.

A committee will be formed to evaluate the films based on an out of 100 score and films will be judged on how well they reflect the culture and heritage of Karnataka.