Goa: Bihar is positioning itself as a promising destination for filmmakers, with producers and actors expressing interest in shooting films across the state at the International Film Festival of India (IFFI) in Goa. On the final day of the Webs Film Pavilion, officials from the Bihar State Film Development and Finance Corporation outlined the state’s incentives and support for the film industry.
Pranav Kumar, Managing Director of the Bihar State Film Development and Finance Corporation and Secretary of the Department of Art, Culture and Youth, emphasised that Bihar offers a safe and conducive environment for filmmaking. “Twenty-nine films have been permitted to shoot in Bihar, and the producers who have worked here have received full support from the administration,” he said, noting that feedback from filmmakers would be considered in future revisions of the Bihar Film Promotion Policy.
The pavilion saw discussions with prominent production houses and artists. Bengali filmmaker Sangeeta Dutta announced plans to shoot her feature Sharanarthi – The Refugee in Bihar’s monasteries and Buddhist sites. Representatives from The Viral Fever (TVF), known for web series including Panchayat, Gullak, and Kota Factory, explored the state’s facilities and subsidies for future projects. “We are planning to bring stories from Bihar to theatres and OTT platforms soon,” said TVF’s Amritansh Vajpayee.
Actor and producer Vikas Kumar praised the policy, highlighting its potential to attract talent. “If the story is good, I would like to work in any film shot in Bihar. Money isn’t an issue; the focus is on good work and showcasing Bihar’s culture,” he said, adding that he could also assist actors with dialect coaching through his company, Velvet.
Independent filmmaker Devyanshu Chaudhary, who directed the Amazon Prime film Adda, said the grants available under the new policy would benefit local filmmakers and help bring Bihar’s stories to a global audience. Several distributors at the festival, including Shailesh Pathak of Top Entertainment, expressed willingness to promote films made in Bihar on both cinema and OTT platforms.
Documentary filmmaker Ramalingam Gowtham noted that Bihar’s subsidy of up to Rs 40 lakh could support ambitious projects, while Suhas Singh, a filmmaker exploring action thrillers, praised the online permissions and grants now available.
Raviraj Patel, a young Bihari filmmaker, described the Bihar Pavilion at IFFI 2025 as “a heartening initiative” that showcases the state’s improved image, diverse locations, and opportunities for filmmakers. “This platform gives Bihar a new identity in the national and international film industry,” he said, commending Pranav Kumar and his team for their vision and efforts.
