A New India
Chapter 259 - 259: Indian Film Development Board (IFDB)

The meeting with the industry's leaders had gone as expected, resistance, followed by reluctant compliance.

Now, it was time to solidify the foundations of his vision: the Indian Film Development Board (IFDB).

Rohan turned away from the window and rang the intercom. "Neeraj, call Harish Patel. I need to speak with him immediately."

Fifteen minutes later, Harish Patel, the Finance Minister, entered the office, his notebook and fountain pen in hand.

His expression was curious but tinged with the exhaustion of managing the relentless pace Rohan had set for the government.

"Good morning, Sir," Harish greeted, settling into the chair across from the Prime Minister. "What's on your mind?"

"The Indian Film Development Board," Rohan said without preamble, his tone decisive. "I need an update. How far along are we with the blueprint? And how soon can it be operational?"

Harish nodded, flipping through his notebook to the relevant pages. "We've made significant progress," he began. "The blueprint for the board is almost finalized. It will oversee funding, project approvals, and infrastructure development. It's designed to be an autonomous body under the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting but with clear directives from the Prime Minister's Office."

Rohan gestured for Harish to continue. "And the funding?"

Harish adjusted his glasses, glancing at his notes. "We've allocated an initial budget of ₹100 crore, as you suggested. This will cover the establishment of the board, the construction of new studios in Mumbai and Hyderabad, and the training programs for filmmakers and technicians."

"Good," Rohan said, nodding. "But ₹100 crore is just the beginning. We need to ensure this board has the resources to make Bollywood the global cultural force it can be. Are there plans to secure additional funding?"

Harish leaned back, considering his response. "Yes. Once the board is operational and demonstrates initial success, we'll open it up for private investments. Corporates and prominent figures in Bollywood itself can contribute. Additionally, we're exploring collaborations with international film institutions for technical expertise and joint productions."

Rohan's eyes narrowed slightly. "Harish, the key to this board's success is its autonomy and accountability. How are we ensuring that it doesn't become another bloated bureaucracy weighed down by inefficiency and corruption?"

Harish flipped to another section of his notes. "We've built in several safeguards. The board will have a clear mandate, and its performance will be reviewed quarterly. We're also setting up an independent audit mechanism to track every rupee spent. As for leadership, we'll appoint professionals from the industry people with experience and a proven track record."

"Professionals, yes," Rohan agreed. "But they must also align with the vision we've laid out. We cannot afford to have leaders who resist or dilute the cultural mandate."

Harish nodded. "Understood. The selection process will be rigorous. We've already identified a few candidates, and I can share the shortlist with you later this week."

Rohan leaned forward, his tone firm. "And the timeline? When will this board be fully operational?"

Harish consulted his notes again. "If we move quickly, we can have the board operational within three months. The initial focus will be on approving priority projects films aligned with the cultural mandate. The studios will take longer, at least a year, but we can begin allocating funds to filmmakers in the meantime."

"That's not fast enough," Rohan said, his voice sharp. "Three months is too long. Bollywood needs to see results now, not later. Expedite the process, Harish. I want this board functioning within six weeks."

Harish's eyes widened slightly. "Six weeks? That's ambitious, Sir. We'll need to cut through a lot of red tape."

"Then cut through it," Rohan said bluntly. "Make it clear to every ministry involved that delays will not be tolerated. If someone drags their feet, replace them. This is non-negotiable."

Harish exhaled deeply, scribbling furiously in his notebook. "Alright. Six weeks it is. I'll have my team work around the clock to meet the deadline."

Rohan sat back, his gaze unwavering. "Good. Now, let's talk about the training programs. What's the plan for equipping filmmakers and technicians with the skills they need to compete globally?"

Harish flipped to another page. "We're partnering with international film schools and experts to develop comprehensive training modules. These will cover everything from scriptwriting and direction to cinematography and visual effects. The first batch of trainees will be selected within two months, with classes beginning shortly after."

"Excellent," Rohan said. "But ensure these programs are accessible to talent from across the country, not just Mumbai or Delhi. Regional cinema is an untapped goldmine, and we need to nurture it."

Harish nodded. "We're setting up regional training centers in Chennai, Kolkata, and Bangalore. This will decentralize the industry and give regional talent a platform to shine."

Rohan smiled faintly. "Now we're talking. And the studios? What's the progress there?"

"The land for the studios in Mumbai and Hyderabad has already been identified," Harish replied. "We've brought in architects and engineers to design facilities that match global standards. The focus is on versatility studios that can handle everything from intimate dramas to large-scale epics with advanced special effects."

"And the funding for these studios?" Rohan asked.

"The ₹100 crore allocation includes the initial phases of construction," Harish said. "Once the Film Development Board is operational, we'll invite private investors to fund the next phases. The board itself will own the studios, ensuring they remain aligned with our goals."

Rohan nodded, satisfied. "Harish, this is a massive undertaking. It's going to reshape Bollywood and, by extension, India's cultural identity. But it will only work if every piece falls into place. The funding, the board, the studios, the training all of it must move forward simultaneously."

"I understand, Sir," Harish said, his tone resolute. "I'll make sure my team delivers."

Rohan stood, signaling the end of the meeting. "Good. Keep me updated daily. And remember, Harish, this isn't just about Bollywood. It's about India's place in the world. Cinema is how we tell our story, and it's time the world heard it."

As Harish left, Rohan returned to his desk.

Now with his intervention he hopes that there won't be any Anti India, Anti Hindu narrative spreading within the country.