Cinema is India's soft power, must be strengthened: Prakash Javadekar at IFFI

Cinema is India's soft power and our films have transcended langu barrier in many countries like China, Union minister Prakash Javekar said on Wednesday. dressing garing at opening of 50th edition of International Film Festival of India (IFFI), Information and Brocasting minister said single window clearance for shooting being introduced by government will encour filmmakers from across globe to shoot movies in India.

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Slogans against Prakash Javekar

As soon as Javekar came to st and began his dress, some people sitting in balcony of Shyama Pras Mookherjee stium started shouting slogans against minister. protesters were opposing Centre's move to 'exempt' Karnataka government from obtaining environment clearance (EC) for a project on Mahayi river. Goa and neighbouring Karnataka have been at loggerhes over sharing of Mahayi river water. Both states have filed Special Leave Petitions before Supreme Court on issue. protesters claimed that Javekar, who also holds Environment portfolio, was n-committal on giving any assurance on withdrawal of EC exemption to Karnataka.

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y were soon removed from stium by officials. minister continued to speak and welcomed cinema legends Amitabh Bachchan and Rajinikanth along with or movie personalities and dignitaries at IFFI opening. "India's soft power is films, IT, music, among ors. Cinema has an important imprint on minds of people. It can change lives of people," he said.

"Wherever I go, people are fans of Indian films and if you go to countries like China, limitations of langu have been transcended by movies. This is an art and touches hearts of people and that is why this is India's soft power and we have to strengn it," Javekar said.

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Prakash Javekar on Indian cinema

India has lots of scenic and beautiful shooting sites for national and international movies but filming at se locations requires around 15-20 permissions, he said, ding that government is w preparing for single window arrangement which will take care of all permissions and it will benefit places like Goa, Leh-Lakh and Andaman and Nicobar.

"Many good films of world will be showcased in this film festival and it will be a tribute to former Goa chief minister Mahar Parrikar,'' minister said.

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He also talked about a film in festival which has been me by local artists of Goa based on lives of visually-impaired people. He said that re will w be a narration of movie for visually impaired. Javekar said government is "asking entire film industry to have such narrations for movies". An event like IFFI helps enhance India's soft power footprint, he said.