HOW DOES JHARKHAND STAND NOW
It is well placed in every term to catch the train, provided it intends to, and get up from the bench to catch it. Its identity and uniqueness is - its variety of mines and vibrant Tribal Culture, which is rare outside the State. This has been the general reason why outside film makers came here to shoot. It’s either for the backdrop of various mines or to shoot the social and linguistic spectrum. Jharkhand anyways, was not much explored ever except for a few things.
On and off few films and web-series have already exploited the decades old political, corruption and criminal filth and established this more than 22 years old region, separated from erstwhile Bihar as a land of gang-wars, criminal - political nexus, caste rivalry and corruption etc. This is what the outsider filmmakers see as reason to shoot in Jharkhand generally.
As of now, outside film makers picked and chose things from this land that they perceived as masala as per their sensibilities, to exploit it for their commercial gain in their film projects, albeit, at the cost of this underdeveloped land, nascent state and its general people's image at large.
Whereas, I see my state in a very different perspective altogether in today's times. The most worthy debate these days across the globe for mankind is - 'Saving the Environment and Nature' and this further can be comprehended by ‘The Simple Living of these Natives of Jharkhand’.
In this context, I see the opportunities for exploring the stories with messages from the glorious society of our own 32 different sects of Tribal communities of Jharkhand. It has lots to exhibit the world from their own unique age old Practices, Traditions, Fables and their Primitive yet Modern culture at the core.
For example, living relationships, open society, sex education, dhumkuria, geo - metallurgy, weather, agriculture, culture, health, medicine and education etc...
The co- existence with the environment, flora and fauna and complimenting nature with their basic lifestyle is worth being propagated to the world for a harmonious cohabitation.
The minimalistic approach to life of the native Jharkhand Tribals could be knitted in a storyline worth being told to the global audience, specially the newly awakened West.
For the execution of the same, Mumbai film Industry has many trained and experienced workers from Jharkhand in every department of the film making.
If a professionally viable film Industry comes up in their own land, there are many who would love to happily come back to their home state to serve better for native stories instead of working outside the state just for the sake of bread n butter.
They will be able to live close to their family and friends who will double up their dignity of identity and happiness index as well,
CATALYST- STATE FILM POLICY
The State Film Policy is very crucial in this regard. In 2015 under the leadership of then chief minister of state Rahubar Das, a Film Development Corporation was instituted for the same purpose.
This is one of the best policies in comparison to the other states. In the Mumbai film circle, this new Jharkhand state film policy received very good response from the film fraternity.
Financial assistance upto maximum two crores rupees with terms and conditions is a decent monetary support to film makers. It was being looked upon for good incentives to shoot in Jharkhand like few other states of India.
Subsequently, It resulted in getting a few big projects here. In recent few years many good projects were shot here like - Netflix's web series - Khaki, Jamtara and Films like MS Dhoni, A Death in the Gunj, Pareeksha, Udaan, Begum Jaan, Panchlait, Ranchi Diaries, Rashmi Rocket, Koylanchal, Raahgir, Dil Bechara, Bansuri, One day Justice delivered etc.
It validates the point that Jharkhand has immense potential to attract film makers from outside also and expand its horizon. But, to establish a new industry in a relatively new state, it needs more than meets the eyes.
Task is herculean because it’s not only about the start of this happening industry here but to sustain it as our own film Industry with viability in terms of finance, structure, taxation, Logistics, talents, workers, technology, tax exemptions, connectivity, road, facilities, infrastructure and laws etc, we need a well chalked out time specific plan in coordination with various departments.
For that, it needs strong will power and non- stop single window pro-active support system primarily from the political class and Bureaucrats because people and talents are ready in abundance to grab the chance but unfortunately, it slowed down later for lessened proactive attitude from the concerned department, where it all had started from.
It needed steam from the authorities to keep it attractive for the filmmakers from outside and engagement of locals as well.
Project to develop our own filmcity near Patratu was a splendid idea to integrate this whole exercise. This should have been done in war footing but instead, it has no concrete update of any development as such.
Training, Encouragement and Film Festivals
Films, shorts, documentary and music videos are being made relentlessly though, on a miniscule level which is keeping the fire intact but neither contributing anything as such to the economy of the state nor reinventing a good image of the province.
In recent years, few big projects have come here which are needed to promote the overall economy of the state. Big projects which have a far reaching audience base can fuel tourism too, in state and will collectively translate into the creation of more job opportunities to the locals.
A well placed ready complex Khelgaon is already there which can be used as a training centre for various subjects related to film making like Screenplay writing, camera, sound, acting, direction, editing, VFX etc. through periodic workshops or regular classes of different levels.
Students trained from this centre can further be facilitated with nominal monetary or logistical support or both to make their own short films of their own choice or on topics given by the Institution for their internal competition and culmination of their learning into a fruitful project for assessment.
A government organised Annual Film Festival should be started to promote local film productions of various categories and to exhibit above mentioned trained students' productions for the general public.
Getting recognition and awards on such platforms will boost their confidence for making good films addressing the issues of our state with local essence. This new breed of young film makers should be encouraged to clear the dent in the state's image given by few earlier film makers from outside.
These new brigade of film makers will make their films for the Preservation and development of their own native language, culture, tradition, ethos, environment, resources and project good things about the Jharkhand, outsiders either are not aware of, or have wrong image of the state.
This will result in a band of new age local filmmakers who will be holistically a better lot of filmmakers for the state. These film makers should officially be rewarded and acknowledged for the makeover of the state's image.
This probably may catapult them to a bigger horizon also, in this online connected world. This strategy will certainly be helpful to prepare and create a good number of budding filmmakers who will be sensitized and empowered to show our state in good light to the world. These locally trained film makers would incorporate the local elements of entertainment of the region with local flavour and taste for we Jharkhandis.
Changing time is a boon for state in this ever changing film industry
In this content hungry industry, stories are shifting either to regions or out of metro cities for a breath of freshness. This should be grabbed as an opportunity to ride the wave.
State Leadership, Bureaucrats and Public should welcome and understand outside film maker's need and accordingly should facilitate them to come here more often for their new projects. Good roads, good hotels, connectivity, safety - security, good governance and lesser procedural complexities are their primary concerns.
I am myself privy to my 2 web series, in which I have worked as an Actor. These were stories of Bihar and Jharkhand. The Director and production team came here for recce but somehow they didn't feel comfortable. Subsequently, one story's shoot shifted to Chhattisgarh and the other one shifted near Pune. It was sheer our loss.
Few Examples
Rajasthan capitalizes on its desert and it has beautifully preserved its traditional cultural heritage, Havelis, Forts etc to attract tourists and film makers. Its cities - Jaipur, Jodhpur, Udaipur and Jaisalmer are very shooting friendly.
Kerala has preserved its back water beautifully; hence it's a major tourist attraction, apart from very good conditions of the city connecting roads.
Goa showcases its beautiful sea shores, takes good care of its roads. It has a multicultural social spectrum, open society and an abundance of regular foreign tourists. Himachal boasts of its snow peaked mountains and old heightened pine trees.
Uttar Pradesh is aggressively expanding its aspiration to become the desired film shooting destination post Sushant Singh Rajput incident in Mumbai. Work on 1000 acres near Yamuna expressway is already in swing. Apart from that the entire Uttar Pradesh is full of important ancient - religious, historical structures and places to attract domestic and foreign tourists.
Maharashtra has a bit different support system. Apart from having 700 acres of picturesque land parcel with beautiful lake, hills, forests, it has man made locations like - Court, Temple, Police Station, Hospital, Helipad, School, Bungalow, multiple shooting floors / studios and post production studios etc.
Needless to say that these shooting floors and studios have waiting periods for booking because it's over booked.
It doesn't stop here. Various private suppliers of set properties, Lights, electrical equipment, furniture and fixtures, wood- plank, costume, metal, paint-colour, caterers, godowns, make-up material providers have mushroomed in adjoining areas of Film City which has facilities for paid guided tours also for visitors.
Maharashtra's film subsidy is not much. It's in the range of 10 to 30 Lakhs only but their regional films' release is guaranteed in theatres in prime time slots for a minimum number of shows and days.
So, the biggest hurdle of a decent release for a small time or independent film maker is to be well cushioned and looked after by the statutory facilities by the administration.
Bhopal of Madhya Pradesh is called the lake city- consisting of 7 neat and picturesque lakes and it is a neat - beautifully maintained city. In fact the entire Madhya Pradesh attracts many shooting projects because of its built in facilities, comforts and shooting friendly people there. Their political leaders, Bureaucrats and Police take good care of shooting units and their issues.
Metro cities like Delhi, Mumbai, Kolkata, Chennai, Bangalore, Bhopal, Jaipur, Lucknow have their share of historical places, structures and state of the art landmark buildings to showcase and they earn good revenues out of shooting permissions for these places of importance.
All these above mentioned cities and states are capitalizing well on their assets.
Southern states of India had their own self sustained film industry since ages but for the last 3-4 years they have succeeded exponentially to expand it pan India and abroad by their aggressive marketing strategy, technical excellence and films by the mass driven content.
Now, point to be noted in all the above examples is that there are few things in common in all of these - that Good connectivity - Road, electricity, water, hotels for every budget, local Police assist, Political leaders, Bureaucrats and local people are of helping nature instead of creating hurdles or nuisance on their way.
Anti-social elements or local hooligans are taken care of well by the administration who tries to extract money from the unit.
This proactive attitude is the thing which attracts outsider film makers and makes them feel comfortable, obviously it translates into influx of these makers with project after project to these places throughout the year.
The writer was born, brought up and graduated in Ranchi. He was initially trained during 81-86 under Ajai Malkani in 'Yuva Rangmanch', a reputed theatre group in Ranchi and later did his Post Graduate from National School of Drama New Delhi in Acting (88-91). He cleared NET (UGC) for fellowship for PhD and lectureship in Performing Arts in 1991 and also received Honorary Doctorate in performing arts. Jais is an ex-member, film development council of Jharkhand government and an actor in Mumbai for the last 30 years. He can be contacted at www.rajeshjais.com. The views expressed in the article are personal.
