Eastern India focus at FICCI FRAMES forum

Established in 1927, the Federation of Indian Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FICCI) is the largest and oldest apex business organisation in India. Its history is intimately allied with India’s struggle for independence and its subsequent emergence as one of the fastest growing economies in the world.

For a considerable period of time, the highly acclaimed organisation has been cheerleading and supporting the cause of the Indian media and entertainment industry.

To provide a global platform for this sector, they have in the past successfully organised several conventions titled as FICCI FRAMES, which is recognized as Asia’s largest and most definitive caucus of its kind. To promote and boost the entertainment business in Eastern India, FICCI FRAMES finally landed in Kolkata in December last year. The daylong conclave, named as “A New Dawn: Resurgence of the East”, was attended by notable filmmakers, producers, directors, distributors, actors, global investors and industry enthusiasts.

Lighting the traditional lamps, Mamata Banerjee, Chief Minister of West Bengal and Tarun Gogoi, Chief Minister of Assam inaugurated the event. A slew of celebrities including iconic Bollywood film personalities Yash Chopra and Ramesh Sippy, actor and director Aparna Sen, celebrated Bengali film producer Bijoy Kalyani and Bengal’s screen stalwart Prosenjit Chatterjee, the convener of the conclave, attended.

The day-long program covered key aspects of the industry with thought leaders making keynote speeches and addressing interactive sessions on television; the strengths of strong screenplay and the wealth of literary resources in abundance in the East; avenues for film marketing and financing; and also an overview of digital platforms available for content delivery in the future. Presentations were made by Aparna Sen, Anirudha Roy Chowdhuri (director of Bengali films Anuranan, Antaheen and Aparajita Tumi), Suman Ghosh (economist turned film director and of Padokhep and Nobel Chor fame), Dibakar Banerjee (Bollywood director), Manju Bora (Assamese filmmaker) and Colin Burrows (UK based film investor) among others.

Mr Burrows highlighted the fact that interest about India and in turn, about Indian art and culture including cinema, is increasing rapidly in the West. Entrepreneurs are looking into suitable ventures for investment in the entertainment industry, Bollywood as well as regional, by joint venturing with Indian partners. Perhaps this aspect will be of interest to film producers and distributors in Australia like Mitu Bhowmick and Anupam Sharma. At the end of the day there was also an interesting and zesty panel of the young and edgy filmmakers and actors from Bengal who have recently induced a sea change in the business.

West Bengal CM, who is fondly addressed nationally as Didi, while extending her all-out support for the industry, took the opportunity to reveal her dream of making Kolkata London, Darjeeling Switzerland, Mandarmoni Beach Goa, and Sunderban Forest as attractive as African game parks. Tarun Gogoi in his speech requested the industry to focus on unexplored culture, traditions and habits of the north east for positive social harmony.

Besides being a unique forum to boost the entertainment industry in eastern India, it was also an endeavour to commemorate 150 years of the artistic genius of one of India’s most illustrious sons, Rabindranath Tagore. In tribute, the theme of the day was: 150 years of enduring magic: Celebrating the genius of Rabindranath Tagore. Speaking on the occasion Prosenjit Chatterjee said, “It’s a great opportunity for the industry to explore its global linkages as it promises to provide exposure to global trends, best practices, business possibilities and regulatory regimes in different countries.”

Sandip Hor