Prakash Magdum unveils NFDC’s new roadmap to empower regional cinema, boost film shoots, and host a Film Festival in Kashmir
Jaan Mohammad
Mumbai, 07 October 2025:
India’s cinematic heart is once again turning toward the valleys of Kashmir. Prakash Magdum, Managing Director of the National Film Development Corporation (NFDC), has announced an ambitious plan to rekindle Jammu & Kashmir’s lost film glory — with proposals to host a film festival, launch training programs, and facilitate film shoots through modern digital systems.
During an interactive session with a delegation of journalists from Jammu & Kashmir in Mumbai, Magdum shared NFDC’s milestones, vision, and upcoming projects aimed at making India a global film production hub.
Established by the Government of India in 1975, the National Film Development Corporation has been at the forefront of nurturing Indian cinema across languages and regions. Over the decades, NFDC has collaborated with legends such as Satyajit Ray, Mira Nair, Shyam Benegal, Govind Nihalani, Aparna Sen, and Guru Dutt, producing some of the finest works in Indian film history.
Magdum explained that NFDC’s primary goal is to strengthen India’s film ecosystem through production, promotion, preservation, and international collaborations. Following the 2020 merger of Films Division, Directorate of Film Festivals, National Film Archive of India, and Children’s Film Society with NFDC, the organization has become a fully integrated powerhouse for Indian cinema.
Highlighting key initiatives, Magdum said NFDC organizes the Film Bazaar India alongside the International Film Festival of India (IFFI) in Goa — a major platform for co-productions, networking, and film trade across South Asia.
He revealed that the corporation is digitizing several cinematic classics — including works of Guru Dutt — to preserve India’s rich film heritage for future generations. NFDC also supports independent Indian filmmakers through funding and co-production, ensuring regional stories reach both domestic and international audiences.
Magdum spoke about the ICH Portal, a one-stop online facility that enables international producers to register for shooting in India. “Through this single-window system, we offer end-to-end assistance — from permissions and logistics to local coordination,” he said.
He added that detailed location databases, including those for Jammu & Kashmir, are being developed to attract producers and streamline the shooting process.
The NFDC chief disclosed that short-term film operation courses have already been conducted at the University of Kashmir, providing young filmmakers hands-on experience in production, scripting, and cinematography.
Preparations are also underway for hosting a Film Festival and Film Bazaar in Kashmir, which will showcase regional talent and bring filmmakers from across the world to the Valley. “We want to see Kashmir regain its place as a cinematic paradise,” Magdum said enthusiastically.
Citing statistics, Magdum noted that while the USA has around 45,000 cinema halls and China nearly 90,000, India has only about 9,000. NFDC is working to increase the number of small and medium-sized theatres across India, which will not only strengthen the film distribution network but also generate local employment and cultural engagement.
He emphasized that state governments must play a proactive role in facilitating shoots and simplifying policies. “If states collaborate and make permissions easier, Jammu & Kashmir can once again witness the golden era of film shooting,” he remarked.
The interaction took place as part of a media exposure tour of Mumbai organized by the Press Information Bureau (PIB), Jammu & Kashmir, and facilitated by PIB Mumbai. The visiting journalists are touring key cultural and industrial landmarks in India’s financial capital to understand the country’s expanding media and entertainment landscape.
During the meeting, Prakash Magdum reaffirmed NFDC’s full support for promoting Jammu & Kashmir as a preferred film destination and for nurturing regional storytelling through training, infrastructure, and global collaborations.
