MUMBAI MIRROR (December 19, 2018)

A delegation of Bollywood producers and actors called on Prime Minister Narendra Modi, who was on a one-day visit to Maharashtra, at Raj Bhavan in Mumbai to discuss the issues faced by the Indian film industry.

Producers Ritesh Sidhwani, Karan Johar, Sidharth Roy Kapur, the president of the Film Producers Guild, Rakesh Roshan, Ronnie Screwvala and Central Board of Film Certification chief Prasoon Joshi, who along with Mahaveer Jain, had organised the meeting, were part of the delegation. Actors-producers Akshay Kumar and Ajay Devgn were also present. According to sources, Sidhwani urged the Prime Minister to look towards treating cinema as an “industry” by acknowledging its contribution to the nation’s exchequer and fiscal growth, and in promoting bilateral ties between nations as a global cultural ambassador. “It was a collaborative effort to come forward, address issues and seek solutions from the Prime Minister directly”, the source informed, adding that the Prime Minister was “very receptive” and admitted that at his meetings with delegates from all over the world, Indian cinema has always been a subject of conversation which is discussed in depth and much appreciated.

“He (PM) acknowledged that our films are being recognised internationally and agreed that filmmakers are no less important than nation-builders. He has assured the delegation that he will work towards setting up a special committee to look into the industry matters and address them urgently,” the source said, adding that it was a “productive meeting with a positive outcome.”