Photo Courtesy: India Today Group
Shillong: Meghalaya is shifting its strategy at the national level. The state moved beyond its reputation as a scenic backdrop by pitching local talent and digital infrastructure at the Film Expo India in New Delhi. The state pavilion at Bharat Mandapam saw 300 visitors on its first day. Industry leaders and technology experts gathered to weigh potential collaborations with regional creators.
The Hello Meghalaya initiative stands at the core of this push. It serves as a state-backed OTT platform where artists can upload music and films to earn revenue from viewership. Actor Vindu Dara Singh noted the region's rising status during the event. "Meghalaya has taken the first step, I promise you that we will be coming and shooting a movie in Meghalaya very soon," he said.
Major industry figures are already taking notice. Nixon D'Cruz, associate director of Pushpa, visited the site to scout local creative opportunities. Filmmaker Ashwin Nayak also lauded the move, highlighting deep-rooted artistic skills within the state's tribal communities. The display also featured traditional Northeast textiles to capture broader cultural interest.
Officials are pushing the Meghalaya Film Tourism Policy 2025 to lock in new projects. The policy promises single-window clearances via the Invest Meghalaya portal. It offers producers incentives worth 25% of eligible costs or up to 1 crore rupees. Productions that hire locals or premiere on the Hello Meghalaya platform receive extra support. The feature film Baa Baa Black Sheep already utilized these rules, shooting for 25 days and hiring nearly 2,000 local youths.
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