Digitisation of the entertainment and media industry and its relation with production and policy matters was the main theme around which discussions revolved at the business conclave organised by Federation of Indian Chamber of Commerce and Industry (FICCI) here on Tuesday.
Speaking at the inaugural of the “Media and Entertainment Business Conclave”, Kamal Haasan, film-maker and chairman of FICCI’s Media and Entertainment Forum, South, said that “a lot is riding on the success of digitisation” in media and film industry.
The veteran actor, emphasising the need for skill development, said: “In the current eco-system, traditional platforms have been disrupted and new methods for the future need to be adopted to create and monetise content.”
India lacks training schools to create “cinema-professionals in the truest sense”, he said and added that “our films need to make the transition from being good to edgy.”
Key business schools should make management of movies a part of their curriculum and certification for cinema technicians should be given by the ITIs, Mr. Haasan said.
Enabling eco-system
Chief Minister Siddaramaiah said that boundaries for the film industry are unlimited in this age of digital innovation. He said that the State will provide an enabling environment to harness the digitally empowered medium to its fullest.
The State’s Karnataka Animation, Visual effects, Gaming and Comics (AVGC) Policy had been one of the most forward-looking with an aim to ensuring maximum growth of the sector, Mr. Siddaramaiah said.
Ravi Kotarakara, president-elect, Film Federation of India, sought rollback of service tax and creation of an environment where film-makers have better access to bank loans.
Aadhar-like database
Srivatsa Krishna, Secretary, Department of IT, BT and Science and Technology, said that the State was working towards creating Karnataka Resident’s Database (KRDB) that will be the common repository of residents data that can be used by all departments. He said that it was an “Aadhar-like system” and would help in better delivery of services to people.
