Mohali, March 15 The Punjab government on Sunday launched the "Punjab Film Promotion Policy 2026," aimed at making the state a major hub for film production by offering incentives and a streamlined clearance system to attract filmmakers and investors.
The policy was unveiled during a media and entertainment session at the Progressive Punjab Investors' Summit 2026 held here.
Addressing the gathering, AAP leader Baltej Pannu said the Bhagwant Mann-led government was committed to supporting filmmakers and investors.
"We welcome every filmmaker, every investor, and every creative mind. Whatever you need, however you need it, the CM Mann-led state government is here for you," he said.
Pannu said the era of middlemen projecting a negative image of the state was over and assured filmmakers and media stakeholders of a single-window clearance system and full government facilitation for shoots in Punjab.
He said the government was streamlining the process for granting shooting permissions.
Highlighting Punjab's connectivity, Pannu said the state has two international and four domestic airports, making it easily accessible for the global Punjabi diaspora.
He noted that NRIs are increasingly choosing Punjab for pre-wedding shoots, medical tourism, and business.
Addressing the rise of OTT platforms and artificial intelligence, Pannu urged the media to adapt to changing times.
"Punjab is filled with positivity. If you look for positive people, you will find them in the state," he said, recalling the spirit of Guru Nanak's followers who turned 20 rupees into a legacy of service.
Invest Punjab CEO Amit Dhaka said the state would provide a 25 per cent capital subsidy on production costs incurred in Punjab for films, documentaries, and web series, up to Rs 3 crore per project.
For Punjabi-language films, the subsidy will be 30 per cent of production costs, up to Rs 3.5 crore per film, he said.
The policy also provides a 20 per cent capital subsidy for setting up film cities, film studios, VFX studios, and training institutes.
Dhaka said Punjab, despite having only 1.5 per cent of India's land area and around 2 per cent of its population, has a significant cultural footprint.
With a single-window online permission system and incentives, the government aims to attract filmmakers and boost the state's media and entertainment sector.
The government is also working on developing a film city in Mohali and promoting skill development in film production, he said.
Dhaka noted that Punjabi cinema is one of the largest film industries in India and that the Punjabi music industry, with over 400 labels, has a strong global presence.
He added that around 40 per cent of the space on digital and OTT platforms is occupied by Punjabi content.
"Initially, when we met producers, they were not optimistic as they were facing problems with shooting permissions," he added.
Dhaka said the government has integrated a single-window shooting permission service into the Invest Punjab portal to ease approvals.
"The state's role is to facilitate, not to create hindrances," he affirmed, while urging industry professionals to partner with the government in creating a digital catalogue of shooting locations across Punjab.