Conclave to develop cinema in east India

Kolkata: In a bid to promote and boost the entertainment industry in eastern India, FICCI Frames - a media and entertainment business conclave - was held in Kolkata Wednesday with key industry leaders lauding the initiative.

The FICCI Frames Media and Entertainment Business conclave (MEBC) was inaugurated by West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee and Assam Chief Minister Tarun Gogoi. Filmmaker Yash Chopra, Ramesh Sippy and other dignitaries were present during the programme. "This is indeed a very good initiative," Banerjee said at the inaugural. Chopra praised Bengal Finance Minister and former FICCI secretary general Amit Mitra for guiding the film fraternity in carrying forward this initiative. "It was his brainchild. He has been guiding us for the last few years. I want to thank Dr. Mitra for his support," Chopra said. The conclave and industry chamber FICCI`s first initiative in the east was led and closely guided by national award winning actor Prosenjit Chatterjee and film director Goutam Ghose. The objectives of the conclave were to provide a forum for the government to receive authentic information on the state of the region`s entertainment industry, its problems and prospects, to provide an opportunity to the industry to explore its global linkages, to release a well-researched document on the data and records of the industry which will be the first of its kind, exposure to global trends, best practices, business possibilities and regulatory regimes in different countries. "MEBC Kolkata is a great opportunity for the industry to explore its global lineages as it promises to provide exposure to trends, best practices, business possibilities and regulatory regimes in different countries," said Chatterjee. "It is really a good initiative as there are lots of talents in the eastern region," said Ramesh Sippy, the maker of blockbuster "Sholay". "FICCI Frames will help the growth of regional cinema in eastern India," said Arijit Dutta, an actor and CEO of Priya Entertainments. "It`s a noble initiative," said actor Indraneil Sengupta. "It will indeed help in the growth of regional cinema which is good news for us," said Suman Mukhopadhyay, a filmmaker. To help growth of regional business, FICCI has taken the media conclave to Chennai and Hyderabad over the last two years. IANS