PARIS: India has a lot of stories to tell, can be content hub of world- PM Modi

PARIS: Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Tuesday said India has many stories to be told and the country has the potential to become the “content hub of the world”. Expressing happiness over India’s participation as the ‘Country of Honour’ at the 75th Cannes Film Festival, the PM asked international filmmakers to benefit from the possibilities to make movies in the country.

In a message, the PM said he is happy the honour not only coincides with 75 years of Indian Independence, but also marks 75 years of diplomatic relations between India and France.

He said this edition of the Cannes Film Festival is special because several Indian start-ups will have the opportunity to showcase their strengths to the world of cinema. He expressed happiness over the screening of the digitally remastered Satyajit Ray film, ‘Pratidwandi’, in the Cannes Classic Section.

The PM positioned India as the largest film-producing country in the world, and said Indian films are remarkable for mirroring society and for reflecting the rich heritage and cultural diversity of India. “We have a lot of stories to be explored. India truly possesses immense potential to become the content hub of the world,” Modi said.

He asserted the government’s commitment to enhancing the ‘ease of doing business’ in the film sector. “From facilitating international film co-productions, to ensuring a single window clearance mechanism for permissions for filming across the country, India offers seamless possibilities to filmmakers of the world,” Modi said.

“Our spellbinding locations, technological prowess in film-making and talent of young men and women provide a perfect backdrop for film makers,” he said. As the ‘Country of Honour’, five Indian start-ups will pitch to the audio-visual industry, while 10 professionals will participate in the animation-day networking.

The highlight of India’s participation at the Festival is the world premiere of R Madhavan’s ‘Rocketry: The Nambi Effect’, a biographical drama based on the life of Nambi Narayanan, a scientist and aerospace engineer of the Indian Space Research Organisation.

On Tuesday, aside from information and broadcasting minister Anurag Thakur, 11 Indian personalities walked the red carpet at the Festival opening. These included Rajasthani folk artist Mame Khan, actor Nawazuddin Siddique, music composers AR Rahman and Ricky Kej, and lyricist and CBFC chairman Prasoon Joshi.