Bhubaneswar, June 29: The Odisha Film Development Corporation is set to revive the scheme of providing subsidy to film producers that was discontinued long ago.

To encourage Odia films, the state government provides subsidy to producers through the corporation up to a maximum of Rs 3.50 lakh per production. However, the rules stipulated that the shooting of the film had to be done in state-run Kalinga Studio to get the financial assistance.

Kalinga Studio was set up in 1982 over 25 acres on the outskirts of Bhubaneswar. But with course of time, the studio has lost its sheen and is lying in a shambles allegedly due to the authorities' neglect. Since shooting at the studio is no more possible, getting the subsidy had also come to a halt.

During the corporation's core committee meeting held in the city today, it was decided that the subsidy would be made functional irrespective of the fact whether the film was shot at the studio.

"These days, most of the shooting are done outdoors, and considering the condition of the studio, we feel that the clause is hampering the subsidy scheme. So, we have decided to make some changes in the rules to ensure that producers can avail themselves of it again," said chairman of the body Munna Khan.

Official sources said that in 2009-10, the corporation had sanctioned subsidy amounting to Rs 1.76 lakh in favour of one producer. This apart, there is no record of the corporation providing subsidy to anyone else.

In the first phase, the pending requests by producers will be cleared - where around 50 claimants will receive the amount, following which the new applicants will be put into consideration. In a year, the corporation subsidy for production of 15 films will be given to the producers. "A special committee will be formed consisting of the film industry's veteran personalities, who will decide on who will receive the subsidy. Care will be taken to check the deposit collection fund or other copyright issues of the claimant," said Khan.

A number of filmmakers and film critics were present in the meeting. They put forth the problems that the industry was facing these days and were quite critical of the corporation's functioning. "The corporation has been very slow in functioning. Pondering over various controversies surrounding the industry, it is high time that the body became active and took some concrete steps," said head of Brajraj Movies and film-maker Sanjay Nayak.

He further said: "In states such as Maharashtra and in the southern states, around Rs 50 lakh is sanctioned for subsidy. But in our state, the scenario is very bad."

Plans are also on to form film archives that have remained a long-standing demand of the state's film fraternity. The corporation will form a committee, which will decide on the films to be included in the archives. For each film selected, the corporation will pay an amount to the producer.

"It is the committee's responsibility to ensure that good films make it to the archives. Films and documentaries that have won state awards should definitely be included. The film industry is one of the most neglected by the state government, and the body has been lying dormant for around five years now," said film critic Dilip Halli.

In another development, the government is also planning to renovate Kalinga Studio, apart from constructing a cultural centre and amphitheatre, along with strengthening and redesigning the exteriors, especially the shooting premises.

The corporation is an agency for the growth and development of Odia film industry set up in 1976 by the state government.