In a recent announcement made by the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting, four film media units – the Films Division, Directorate of Film Festivals, National Film Archive of India, and Children’s Film Society of India, are set for a merger with the National Film Development Corporation (NFDC). This decision is consistent with the 2020 report by the expert committee led by Bimal Julka, which focused on the rationalisation, closure, and merger of film media units.
Insight into the Four Film Media Units
The Films Division, established in 1948, is renowned as the oldest amongst the four units. It was primarily created for the production of documentaries and news magazines to publicise government programmes and maintain a cinematic record of Indian history.
The Directorate of Film Festivals (DFF), instituted by the Government of India under the Ministry of Information & Broadcasting in 1973, plays the vital role of promoting Indian films while fostering inter-cultural understanding through film-based cultural exchanges.
Established in 1964, the National Film Archives of India preserves the country’s cinematic heritage as its primary objective.
In operation since 1955, the Children’s Film Society of India is an autonomous body under the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting. It promotes films that provide healthy and wholesome entertainment for children, encouraging them to broaden their perspective and reflect on the world around.
Overview of NFDC
Established in 1975, the National Film Development Corporation (NFDC) is a Public Sector Undertaking (PSU) operating under the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting. Its establishment aimed at fostering excellence in cinema and promoting an integrated development of the Indian Film Industry. Currently, Ravinder Bhakar heads NFDC and also serves as the chief executive officer of the Central Board of Film Certification.
Merger’s Significance
The merger aims to enhance coordination by consolidating these activities under a single management. It promises reduction in the overlap of activities and efficient utilisation of public resources. Furthermore, it is expected that the merger will give a strong impetus to the production of films across all genres, including feature films, documentaries, children’s films, and animation films.
The merger will also contribute to the promotion of films through participation in international festivals, organize domestic festivals, digitalize and restore films, and carry out distribution and outreach activities. However, despite the merger, the ownership of the assets available with these units will remain with the Government of India.
Challenges associated with the Merger
A critical issue about the merger is the fact that the National Film Development Corporation is a loss-making corporation, while the four public-funded bodies being merged are profitable. There’s no concrete plan explaining how the transfer of archives will occur, considering celluloid (used for cinematographic film) is fragile and inflammable. There are fears of disinvestment if NFDC does not generate a profit. In such a case, if our archives do not remain autonomous public institutions, there’s a risk they may be tampered with, damaged, or destroyed completely.
The State of India’s Film Industry
India is recognized as the largest global producer of movies, boasting an industry that produces over 3000 films annually. The private sector leads this industry, whose value in the financial year 2020 was approximately 183 billion Indian rupees.
The significant growth and development in the film industry have been instrumental in positioning India as a key player on the global stage. This merger is expected to further streamline operations and contribute to the future growth of the industry.
