After the number of tourists visiting Jog Falls in Shivammoga district shot up significantly following the release of hit Kannada film Mungaru Male, which captured the beauty of the falls, the Karnataka Cabinet has decided to provide incentive for filmmakers who showcase the state’s tourist spots in their films. A ‘Film Tourism Policy’ will be framed in this regard.

Speaking to the media after a Cabinet meeting, state Law and Parliamentary Affairs Minister Krishna Byre Gowda said, “The main intention is to encourage filmmakers to shoot in Karnataka’s famous tourism destinations so that those destinations get publicity in different parts of the State as well as the country. This would help draw more visitors to the tourism destinations and help strengthen the State’s tourism sector.”

He also added that when foreign locales are portrayed in films, people are encouraged to visit these destinations, which in turn boosts the local economy, stating that this is the idea behind the introduction of incentive for these films.

“We have seen tourist destinations abroad attracting visitors after having been featured in movies. This policy is aimed at promoting tourist destinations in Karnataka by providing incentives to filmmakers,” he said.

The incentive will vary between Rs 1 to Rs 2.5 crore based on several factors, according to the minister.

As per the tentative plans, in order to qualify for the incentive, the film must portray at least three out of 319 tourist destinations that the government has identified in its tourism policy.

Furthermore, the tourism department has said that a film must be shot on a budget amounting to  Rs 5 crore or more in order to be considered eligible for the incentive. A committee will be formed to evaluate the films on a scale of 100 and films will be judged on how well they reflect the culture and heritage of Karnataka.