GTA Chief Executive Anit Thapa has formally submitted a request to Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee to include Nepali-language films in the state’s newly introduced regional cinema screening policy. This request comes in the wake of the recent announcement by the West Bengal government requiring all cinemas and multiplexes across the state to screen at least one Bengali film daily during prime time.
The new policy, aimed at promoting Bengali cinema, mandates cinemas to allocate one daily screening of a Bengali film between 3 PM and 9 PM. This initiative, announced just before Independence Day, seeks to increase visibility for Bengali films amidst growing competition from Bollywood and South Indian film industries. The move is being seen as a step toward preserving and promoting regional cinema, ensuring a fair chance for local filmmakers and stories to be heard.
While Anit Thapa welcomed the initiative and acknowledged its importance in supporting regional cinema, he emphasized the need for similar provisions to be extended to the Gorkhaland Territorial Administration (GTA) region, where Nepali is the predominant language. Thapa’s letter to the Chief Minister advocates for the inclusion of Nepali films in the policy, arguing that the GTA region’s film culture and identity must also be protected and promoted.
In his letter, Thapa highlighted that Nepali-language films form an essential part of the GTA’s cultural heritage. He proposed that cinema halls in the region be mandated to screen Nepali films in the same way that Bengali films are being promoted. According to Thapa, without such protections, policies designed to support regional cinema will remain incomplete, as they would exclude a significant cultural group in the state. He believes this step would help empower Nepali regional cinema, creating more opportunities for local filmmakers, and encouraging younger generations to explore and engage with their cultural roots through film.
Thapa further noted that this move would be in line with the West Bengal government’s goal of fostering inclusive cultural growth. As the policy already ensures 365 prime-time screenings of Bengali films per screen annually, extending this provision to Nepali films would ensure that the cultural voices of the GTA region are equally represented.
This appeal is part of an ongoing effort to secure a platform for Nepali filmmakers and preserve the identity and stories unique to the GTA region. If implemented, this measure would significantly boost the regional film industry, providing local filmmakers with the opportunity to showcase their work and strengthen the cultural fabric of the region.
The inclusion of Nepali films in the policy is expected to bring about greater recognition for the Nepali-language film industry, while also enriching the diversity of films available to audiences in the state. Local communities and activists in the GTA have already expressed their support for Thapa’s request, emphasizing the importance of cultural representation in cinema.
In conclusion, Anit Thapa’s request to the Chief Minister underscores the importance of ensuring equal representation for Nepali cinema in West Bengal’s evolving cultural policies. It is a call for preserving the region’s rich cultural heritage, supporting local talent, and promoting a more inclusive film industry in the state.
