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FDI upto 100 % allowed in Film Sector (which includes Film production, exhibition and distribution including related services/products) under automatic route with no entry-level condition

Import of cinematograph films and other films

Import of cinematograph feature films and other films (including film on video tape, compact video disc, laser video disc or digital video disc) shall be allowed without a licence.

The importer of the film shall comply with the provisions of all applicable Indian laws governing the distribution and exhibition of films, including the requirement of obtaining a certificate of public exhibition prescribed under the Cinematograph Act 1952.

Import of any unauthorized/pirated films shall be prohibited.

Import of foreign reprints of Indian films shall not be permitted without the prior permission in writing from the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting. Government of India.

The Ministry of Information and Broadcasting, Government of India, on being satisfied that it is necessary or expedient in public interest to do so, may waive or relax the above requirements. 

 Shooting of Foreign Feature Films In India 

One need to send letter to The Ministry of Information & Broadcasting, about your intention to shoot in India, mentioning the dates of shooting, particulars of the cast and crew, and you chosen locations.  Address your letter to the relevant address a month before your planned shooting schedule, and enclose four copies of the final, detailed shooting script, a draft/cheque for US$ 200 drawn in favour of Pay& Accounts Officer, Ministry of I&B, (MS), New Delhi (that is a fee for scrutiny of the script), detailed shooting locations and particulars regarding the cast and crew coming to India. No fee is required for shooting documentaries in India.

Your permission to shoot will normally not take more than three weeks to process. The permission letter issued by the Government of India will facilitate your permission from other local authorities, which may, in some cases, need to be obtained directly from these authorities.

In case any living personality is portrayed in the film as a Character, then it is advisable that you share the script with that personality or his/her legal heirs, before beginning the shooting, and obtain a 'No Objection Letter'.  This letter will expedite the clearance of your application, and also guard against the possibility of any defamation or libel suits.

If you propose to shoot your film as a co-production, a copy of the agreement between your company and the Indian party indicating the role of each party, its responsibilities and liabilities, must accompany the application.

If your film requires shooting in the scenic but sensitive areas of Jammu & Kashmir, the North Eastern India or border belts, and your application will be considered for specific approval in consultation with the Ministry of Home Affairs.  In such cases, you would need to allow more time to process your application.