Now, with the wave of film industry hitting Sikkim in recent decades, the State has added one more reason for people to check Sikkim into their bucket list. The film industry in Sikkim is at its early stages and getting awarded as the ‘Most Film Friendly State Award’ at the 67th National Film Award proves that the state is moving forward.
Sikkim, a state tucked in a corner of the map of India famously known for its scenic beauty, making it one of the most sought out tourist destinations, with the seal of approval from the Lonely Planet. Travellers often explore the warmth of hot tea in the hill’s gelid breezes along with the view of the majestic Mount Kanchenjunga, and with an auditory pleasure of the rain pattering on rooftops.
Now, with the wave of film industry hitting Sikkim in recent decades, the State has added one more reason for people to check Sikkim into their bucket list. The film industry in Sikkim is at its early stages and getting awarded as the ‘Most Film Friendly State Award’ at the 67th National Film Award proves that the state is moving forward.
For Sikkimese folks, this least populous state of India no less than the mainland. Sikkim has produced sensations like, Danny Denzongpa, Ugyen Chopel, Geetanjali Thapa, Prashant Rasailey, Uttam Pradhan, Karma Takapa, Shyam Pradhan, Samten Bhutia, Dawa Lepcha and Tribeny Rai who have successfully created a niche for themselves in the film industry. With Sikkim has attracted many filmmakers to shoot their films.
Back in 1967, when Sikkim wasn’t a part of the Indian sub-continent, Vijay Anand shot the film ‘Jewel Thief’ in Sikkim with the legendary actor Dev Anand as the protagonist. Some other films shot in Sikkim are, Sikkim (1971), Saino (1988), Lahure (1989), Uff Yeh Mohabbat (1997), And Once Again (2010), Katha(2012), Yaariyan (2014), Ralang Road (2017), Dhokbu (2017), Pahuna (2017), Qarib Qarib Single (2017), Amazon Prime‘s web series, The Last Hour (2019-2020), Jaar (2021) and Baabari which is scheduled to be released this September.
October 25 2021, will be slated a historic day for the people of Sikkim as the state received the ‘Most Film Friendly State Award’ at 67th National Film Award. Since Sikkim is a small state, many things might go unnoticed in the mainstream media but Sikkim’s contribution towards film industry received its well deserved recognition, inspiring many filmmakers and artist of Sikkim.
Speaking with Sikkim Chronicle, Pooja Sharma, Chairperson, Sikkim Film Promotion Board said, “Sikkim is finding a place on the film location map in India. In fact, Sikkim being awarded the most film-friendly state in the country at the 67th National Film Awards last year is a testimony to this fact.”
Pooja Sharma, Chairperson, Film Promotion Board Sikkim 
Adarsh Chettri, AS Production 
Tribeny Rai, Award Winning Filmmaker from Sikkim 
Sushma Gurung, Producer, Sushma Productions
This award clearly commences, or atleast tries to put forward the strides for a brand new wave in the film industry of Sikkim, but the prime questions that arise with this advent are:
‘How well equipped is Sikkim to carry the baggage of this award?’
‘How is Sikkim planning to move forward?’
‘How Film Sector can be improved in Sikkim?’ &
‘Is the award really justified?’
Sharma, when asked about the basis for the award said, “The award was conferred to the state based on its Picturesque Landscape, Ease of doing Business, Cinematic Beauty, Friendly Locales, Hot Spot of Tourism, Exotic and Unexplored Shooting Locations, Hospitality of Locals, the Global Film Festival and above all, the State Government’s Film Policy.”
She further added, “Cinema is universal, beyond flags and borders and passports. Sikkim serves as a region which is linguistically and culturally diverse thus having a wide canvas for various stories to tell the world and give a glimpse of the magnificent cinematic world.”
How well equipped is Sikkim to carry the baggage of the most film friendly state?
Tibet to the north and northeast, Bhutan to the east, Nepal to the west and West Bengal to the south, Sikkim is surrounded by three international borders due to which there are lot of restrictions in shooting films in the state. Filmmakers have to face a lot of issues because of such restrictions. In the process, Sikkim Chronicle reached out to filmmakers from Sikkim to explore what it means to be a film friendly state.
Tribeny Rai, Award winning filmmaker of Sikkim, speaking on regard of the limitations in filming in the state said, “I am aware of this limitation. For a long time now, we have been promised “a single window system” (by the authorities) that would be brought into place but so far we haven’t had any updates.” “The foremost challenge filmmakers face here is availability of technical equipment and resources”. She added.
Adarsh Chettri, Co-founder of AS Presentations said, “There are some restrictions which include no-permit in protected areas but apart from that if we seek for a departmental processed permit, then there are no such restrictions as such”
Another renowned filmmaker added, “Sikkim lack proper equipments and line producers to meet the need”
Producer Sushma Gurung said, “As my dream is to promote artists from Sikkim, I don’t actually fear anything about producing in Sikkim. But yes of course, I want return on my investment as every producer want so that I can invest it again on some other projects which will further help the Sikkim and artist of Sikkim to be in a map of ever changing industry”
Pooja Sharma, Chairperson Sikkim Film Promotion Board on asking about the single window system said, “The Government of Sikkim is setting up the Film Facilitation Office (FFO) with a view to promote and facilitate film shootings in the state. FFO will act as a Single Window facilitation point for ease of filming by assisting them to get requisite permission and disseminating information on shooting locations and facilities available.” Said, “Online services will also be made available and the permission to shoot shall also include Defense clearances.”
“The Information and Public Relations Department, Government of Sikkim has created empanelment guidelines whereby Line Producers or those willing to join the portfolio can empanel themselves thereby fostering growth and long term development of the Film Sector in Sikkim. We do have line producers such as Raj Sitaula, Deepak Dhakal, Timothy Rai, Pema Rinzing Lepcha and Tashi Norbu Lachungpa too are learning the process.
The State Government is already working towards creating and building a robust and modern Film City in Sikkim known as the ‘Eco-Heritage Film Village’ in Yangang which will serve as a complete Film Production Facility. This Eco-Heritage Film Village will have all provisions of production and post-production facilities to incentivize shooting and making of films in the State through Central aid or Private Capital Investment.” added Sharma
How is Sikkim planning to move forward from now on?
Now that Sikkim has a responsibility to live up the mostfilm friendly state awards’ reputation. Though Sikkim in not known in the arena of cinematographers and filmmakers, now the responsibility has fallen on the shoulders of our home grown budding filmmakers like Tribeny Rai, Deependra Mohora, Bkey Agarwal, Angel Tshering , Bhuwan Dhakal, Mandira Chettri, Abhishek Chettri , Deepankar Ratna Sakya, Neeyara Subba.
“Sikkim is blessed with an abundance of natural wealth, diverse culture, rich tradition and a riveting history. It is a picturesque paradise which unparallels any other place in the world. My goal and vision, as a Chairperson of Sikkim Film Promotion Board is to create a self-sufficient and world class film industry in Sikkim and to create a brand identity of the state as a film-compatible, corporate and investment worthy state.”
She added, “Slowly the focus is shifting from government jobs to other forms of profession like entrepreneurship, organic farming, creative field and film making and if there is any student who wants to build a carrier in films, State Government will always extend their help in financial terms”
“Government of Sikkim has also envisioned a dedicated institution on Film and Television at Eco-Heritage Film Village in Yangang to help develop the profession of film making and production as entrepreneurial ventures. Here, people can earn their livelihood with the help of long and short-term courses dedicated towards film making and development of on-set skills. Also, workshops would be regularly conducted for providing training through Creative Labs.”
“Commercial films always play an important role in developing film industry and as compared to our neighbors Darjeeling, Kalimpong and Nepal, Sikkim is yet to deliver promising commercial films. When asked about it, CEO Sushma Production blamed the market of Sikkim to be the main reason for commercial films to be not successful as compared to our neighbor Darjeeling, Kalimpong and Nepal.”
“Commercial films are relatively small, yet people are working hard and with lot of effort, they are producing commercial films but their efforts go unnoticed due to the market.”, said Sushma.
Tribeny Rai suggested in order to deliver good and successful film, a film friendly environment is a necessity. “Firstly to deliver a good film, a film friendly environment must prevail. By film-friendly environment I do not mean a board which consists of stakeholders from the tourism department that sees filmmaking as a means to only promote state tourism,” Rai said.
She added, “By film friendly environment I mean a film board which is there to primarily and specifically safeguard and promote the interest of filmmakers from the state. With or without the assistance of the government, people will continue to make films but filmmaking is a very expensive process making it impossible for individuals to set up an industry. There needs to be an intervention from the government at some point of time.”
“The “local” filmmakers have been promised subsidies after the completion of the film. If we had the kind of money with which we could shoot a film, why would we approach the government for help. The film policy of the state should be, by the filmmakers of the state and for the filmmakers of the state. We cannot make big production houses that come from outside and shoot the film here and then complain why the “local” filmmakers haven’t delivered a good film.”
Sharma highlighted about the government policy to develop commercial film sector, “The Sikkim Film Policy, 2022 has been drafted keeping in mind the welfare of the filmmaker. The Sikkim
Film Promotion Board has come up with a location catalogue titled “100 shooting destination in Sikkim” which will help the film makers to identify the shooting locations for their films. The State Government has also been participating in film festivals being held in national as well as international level, thereby promoting the state to bring in investors in terms of film sector.
To encourage production of films Global Film Festival has been declared as an annual calendar event. The Government also plans to set up Film Facilitation Office for ease of business. Secondly, The State Government shall promote and facilitate familiarization trips for potential investors, film makers, policy makers, film professionals and other stakeholders to encourage investments and incentives. Thirdly, the State Government aims to set up a robust and modern film village which would serve as a complete Film Production Facility.”
How Film Sector can be improved in Sikkim?
The next question is how film industry in Sikkim can improve and flourish? Filmmakers and Government of Sikkim are doing their best to improve the industry but what does it take to make it to the next level?
Sushma Gurung says, “In order to improve film industry in Sikkim, proper system is a necessary and it is just getting started to build up. Another necessity for improvement is the learning Centre for the aspiring artist and filmmakers of Sikkim so that they can enhance their skills and learn the necessities required in the process of filmmaking.”
“The burden of legacy left behind by artist of earlier times is not easy to fulfill but artist of this time are doing their best to maintain that legacy and take the industry to the next level. Now people are more aware of career in film industry and many people are trying to build one rather than just pursuing conventional careers like government jobs, doctor, engineers. This is what that actually is helping to build a good industry in Sikkim and perhaps this maybe just a beginning but I am hopeful and confident that industry in Sikkim will flourish with all the glory in upcoming time,” she added.
For film sector in Sikkim to grow, Tribeny Rai for says, “We are in the process of creating an industry. I have been actively working in Sikkim since 2015, the problems that we face are still the same but on the brighter side, art scene is bursting with young and new energy. But the film industry won’t thrive in isolation. Only when we encourage our young minds to read our local literature, share our stories, only then a thriving local filmmaking culture will prevail.”
Adarsh Chettri is confident about the growth in Sikkim film industry. He states, “Sikkim film industry is growing day by day. I see films shot through latest technology and so many Sikkimese filmmakers achieving National and International recognition. So in days to come I see many Independent filmmakers, many good production houses, outstanding artists and more film awards making it to our beautiful State Sikkim.”
Does the ‘Most Film Friendly State Award’ justify?
Voices have always been raised regarding casting and hiring of personnel other than people of Sikkim. Although Sikkim is a part of Indian subcontinent, we see people travelling to our neighbor country Nepal to work in Film Sector.
When asked about it Pooja Sharma replied, “Nepali film industry has always been a vibrant industry and the film personalities from there has always been very popular in our state since time immemorial. The film from Nepal has always found audiences in Sikkim and since mainstream Bollywood have very limited roles with regard to our place and our distinctive physical features, our sentimental attachment have always remained with our neighboring country and its film industry though in recent times that’s changing and we are seeing more inclusiveness in our mainstream Bollywood industry.”
Regarding casting and hiring people outside the state Tribune Rai said, “I have seen a lot of inclusivity as far as casting is concerned. But we have to understand when people come to shoot the film in our state, it is mostly for the location and not actors. A lot of factors come into play when we cast actors in the film. Fluency in languages, physical features of the actor as per the demand of the script, is important.
“As far as crew members are concerned, every production house or a director usually has her/his own set of primary team members. So apart from that, a lot of our people have been taking up the roles of line producers, location manager and assisting in various other departments.”
Adarsh Chettri added, “As far as Sikkimese artists are concerned, there are lots of films which includes best actors from Sikkim. When our production makes films, we chose the artists hailing from Sikkim. So it is purely up to the choices of the Director.”
Sikkim witnessed the ban of the film, ‘Kabaddi’ which raised a question – ‘Are we really a film friendly state if we are banning the art?’ Sushma Gurung, producer of film Kabaddi 4 says, “I accept the decision made by the CM to ban the film. As a guardian for the people of Sikkim, he banned the film in order to respect the sentiments of the people. I am also hopeful that one day the will be released in Sikkim after resolving the issue.”
Meanwhile, Tribeny Rai expresses that it is somehow violating the Freedom of Expression. “Art is a medium to express, so freedom of expression should be preserved at any cost. As an individual we have the right to accept or reject a work of art but it doesn’t necessarily mean that we impose our choices on others.”
“A film is a creative collaboration of hundreds of people, just because you don’t agree with the idea or action of a certain person related to the project, you cannot ban the whole film. India is a democracy and the word ban should not be imposed so lightly.”
We can all agree that Sikkim has a long way to go in the Film Sector. However, the award, “Most Film Friendly State” has put Sikkim in road map of film industry. Adarsh Chettri says, “Film friendly State award has instilled a sense of pride for all Sikkimese filmmakers.”.
When we asked Tribeny Rai if Sikkim lives up to the award’s reputation, she stated, “The Ministry of Information & Broadcasting carefully constitutes the members of the National Film Award committee, so it wouldn’t be fair to question their judgment. However, I think it is the duty of the state to live up to the expectation of the prestigious award.”
– The author of this article is Abishek Sharma, journalist from Sikkim Chronicle.
