In the recently-concluded 67th National Film Awards, Sikkim has been adjudged as the ‘Most Film Friendly State’ in the country.
The small Himalayan state was recognized for its emergence as a new film shooting landscape in India. Chief Minister Prem Singh Tamang, popularly called P.S. Golay, took to his Facebook page recently to hail the recognition.
“It is a proud moment for Sikkim,” he posted, adding: “I hope this sets the foundation for films to be an integral aspect of Sikkim and provide a platform for our talented people…”
Chairperson of the Sikkim Film Promotion Board, Pooja Sharma said that the national award was based on the state’s performance in the past few years.
“Sikkim today is a promising state with its film policy. The state government has made several attractive provisions to have a friendly film shooting environment for the producers and directors and also for the local filmmakers…We are also working to have a film city here also,” she said.
Shooting for several Bollywood films such as Qarib Qarib Single, Yaariyan, and others have taken place in Sikkim, especially in the state’s picturesque northern district, in the recent past.
Calling Sikkim a “premier film shooting destination”, award-winning Sikkimese filmmaker Tribeny Rai has also been quoted as saying, “The award has given national-level visibility for Sikkim among the filmmakers which could bring in more film projects here in future.”