how much does a movie license cost in india?
Navigating the costs of a film production in India can be difficult, as there are a number of different permits you’ll need to comply with the country’s rules. Your budget will need to factor the cost of your permit applications, among other things, throughout your time filming here. So, how much does a movie license cost in India?
To apply for permission to film your production in India, you’ll need to pay the equivalent of US$225 in Indian Rupees. This is done online during the application process and is paid to the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting. You may also need to pay location-specific permission fees, which will have to be paid directly to the respective state authority.
Read on to find out more about the fees involved in obtaining movie licenses in India.
how much do filming permits cost in India?
The number, and cost, of your permits for filming in India depends entirely on location, the type of production, and the duration of filming. Below, we’ve listed some of the most common permit types you might need, and their approximate costs.
initial application
The India Cine Hub (ICH), which facilitates international projects and was set up by the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting, charges an application fee for permission to shoot in India. This totals the Indian Rupees (INR) equivalent to US$225 per application and is to be paid while submitting the application.
This processing fee is non-refundable, no matter the outcome of the ICH’s evaluation. Only feature films, reality TV shows, and commercial TV series are covered by this ICH policy, with the government department not accepting applications for documentaries, commercials, or music videos.
You can find out more about the overall permit process in our helpful blog: “Do you need a permit to film in India?”
location permits:
Once you have received a permission letter giving your production the green light, you should start applying for location permits. Each local authority will have its own process and fee involved, so you’ll need to check in individual areas for exact values.
For example, the Entertainment Society of Goa (ESG) charges a fee of 25,000 Rupees ($289.10 USD) per day for granting filming permissions in the region. There is no fee, however, for non-commercial shoots that promote Goa’s culture.
You’ll need a local producer, or fixer, in India to apply for these permits on your behalf. If more than one state is involved, you’ll need an applicant in each state.
ancient monuments and archaeological sites
The Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) manages 52 sites across India, each requiring a fee to be paid before filming can take place.
There is a refundable security deposit of 10,000 Rupees ($115.64 USD), as well as a 50,000 Rupee ($578.19 USD) non-refundable fee. The latter must be paid for each day of filming, per individual site.
drone filming services:
If you’re looking to use drones as part of your filming equipment, there are separate fees involved. They have been outlined by the ICH, as follows:
- Issuance of certificate: 100 Rupees ($1.16 USD)
- Issuance, transfer, or deregistration of unique identification number: 100 Rupees ($1.16 USD)
- Issuance or renewal of remote pilot license: 100 Rupees ($1.16 USD)
- Authorisation or renewal of remote pilot training organisation: 1,000 Rupees ($11.56 USD)
filming with animals:
In order to film with animals, the production team must first obtain a ‘non-objection certificate’ (NOC) from the Animal Welfare Board of India. The fee for this application rose from 1,100 Rupees to 5,000 Rupees in 2020. There is also now a charge of 25,000 Rupees for obtaining prior permission. The production team will also have to provide a letter outlining how and where the animals will be used, and the film must abide by this. Once shooting is complete, a fee of 30,000 Rupees must be paid, per film, for it to be reviewed by the Animal Welfare Board of India.
what are the additional costs of filming that need to be considered?
Alongside the cost of movie licensing in India, you may also need to factor other expenses into your budget, including:
- Security costs: If you’re planning on filming in particularly busy areas, you may need to employ private security.
- Traffic management: You may require road closures or traffic control at some locations, which may add additional costs.
- Insurance: You may be required to pay for insurance to cover a number of areas during filming. This could include public liability, property, or personal injury insurance.
film production with Dot Films
Dot Films offers a number of production services, all of which include our support and local expertise. We can help with individual steps in the process, like initial estimates, location scouting, or finding studios, all the way up to complete management of your international filming.
If you’re ready to start the process of using such a magnificent country as your film’s backdrop, get in touch with us today to find out more!
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