Indo-UK co-production: A New Era of Collaboration

The Indian film industry was very much in focus on the opening day of FICCI Frames 2006. The co-production treaty between the Indian and UK governments took centrestage when Tessa Jowell, Secretary, Department of Culture, Media & Sports, Government of UK, a Guest of Honor at Frames 2006, spoke on 'Indo-UK Co-production: A new era of collaboration'. .

The first part of a path breaking treaty that will allow producers from both countries to co-produce films was signed on December 5, 2005. An annexure is still under negotiation, but the immense potential of such a treaty has been acknowledged across the board. The highest contributor to the Indian economy is crossing borders like never before. .

Jowell sounded quite bullish on the prospects of the agreement when she said, "The treaty will benefit both nations' creative skills sets and enhance the diversity and heritage in both the countries." .

Claire Wise, Director, International UK Film Council, moderated the panel, and tried to bring to the forefront all issues concerning the agreement. The panel consisted of Shardul Shroff, Managing Partner, Amrachand & Mangaldas; Sue Hayes, Commissioner, London Film Commission; and indpendent film producer Alisen Owen. .

The benefits to UK and India envisaged include the expenditure in either country on goods and services directly resulting from co-production, and the use of film-making facilities, or film locations in either country. The issue dogging the treaty relates to a third party co-producer being allowed to be a part of a project co-produced by the two nations. As Shroff set the ball rolling, he spoke on how the treaty could be beneficial for the domestic film industry. He said, "This is really creating the umbrella structure around which the benefits of co-producing work can be reaped. Essentially, it also contemplates that the two entities co-producing remain separate. There is no single joint venture that comes into existence, so, the identity of each party will be intact and no company who has co-equity gets the benefit." On a cautious note, he added, "There are some critical tax issues that have to be addressed." .

The panel primarily focused on the technicalities of the treaty, and discussed how legal issues in the way could be sorted out. The discussion was summed up on an optimistic note, but not before the panel raised a bit of excitement among the audience. It put forth a few questions that required the representation from the Information and Broadcasting Ministry, some of whose representatives were seated in the audience. .

So if you see King Khan romancing a British dame on the banks of the Thames, watch out for the names of the producers. The issue, for now, is if there will be a Frenchwoman to facilitate the 'other woman' angle.