Patna, March 22: Bihar, a beautiful and historic state in India, is rich in culture and heritage. It is home to the sacred Ganges, the Maurya Empire, the ancient democratic site of Vaishali, and the historic Nalanda and Vikramshila universities. The Mahabodhi Temple in Bodh Gaya and the vibrant art of Madhubani paintings further enrich its cultural tapestry. Bihar’s fertile land and cultural richness make it a significant hub for spirituality and the film industry.
March 22 marks Bihar Day, a celebration of the state’s formation and its rich cultural heritage. Numerous films, TV shows, and web series have been filmed in Bihar. The Bihar government is actively promoting the film industry through its Bihar Film Promotion Policy, implemented in 2024. This initiative aims to boost film production, create jobs, and promote tourism, recognizing the economic strength of Indian cinema, which generated ₹12,226 crores in revenue in 2023.
Bihar has produced many outstanding actors and is on the path to becoming a film hub. The policy provides financial incentives for filmmakers shooting films, TV series, web series, and documentaries in the state. The Department of Art, Culture, and Youth oversees this initiative, with the Bihar State Film Development and Finance Corporation acting as the nodal agency. A single-window portal facilitates permissions, subsidies, and other services. A robust committee, chaired by the Development Commissioner, clarifies policy details, resolves disputes, and recommends grants.
Key incentives include grants of up to 25% of the total cost for feature films (maximum ₹2-3 crores), determined by the number of shooting days. Additional incentives include up to ₹50 lakhs for over 75% of shooting, special grants of 50% or ₹2 crores for films with state-centered stories, and additional amounts of ₹10 to 25 lakhs for featuring local artists. Regional language films in Bhojpuri, Maithili, and Magahi can receive grants of up to 50%, while Hindi and English films can receive up to 25%.
For TV serials, grants range from ₹50 lakhs to ₹1 crore, while OTT web series can receive between ₹2 to ₹3 crores. Documentaries focusing on tourism, heritage, and culture can receive grants of ₹30 to ₹40 lakhs. All grants are disbursed after obtaining a certificate from the Censor Board and post-release.
Bihar’s natural beauty, historical sites, and cultural heritage are increasingly attracting filmmakers. Prominent locations include Patna’s Golghar, the Ganga JP Path (a riverside road similar to Marine Drive), Mahavir Mandir, the Horse Bowl Lake in Rajgir, the World Peace Stupa, Nalanda, Bodh Gaya, Gaya, Jehanabad, as well as Vaishali, Pawapuri, Rohtasgarh Fort, and the Valmiki Tiger Reserve.
These locations are being utilized for Bollywood, Bhojpuri films, and web series. The policy is fostering the development of film cities, skill development, and tourism in the state.
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