A Filmmaker’s Guide
to Shooting in India
Our company works with local professionals to make sure you
are getting the right help throughout media production.
Permits in India : What You Need to Know
As an international filmmaker, you’ll doubtlessly need a central film permit as well as several other local permits from the appropriate municipal authorities. Waiting for these to come through can take up to 4 weeks or more. For small crews on projects that won’t cause a lot of local disturbance, local police notification may be enough; your local film fixer can guide you on whether this will be true for you and your team.
Timing Your Indian Film Production around the Weather
As the 7th-largest country in the world, India obviously has a range of different climates depending on where your film location is. Northern India has four distinct seasons, with a bitter winter (Dec-Feb) and a hot summer (Apr-June.)
The south of the country is warm throughout the year, but some months to be mindful of are:
June to September—Monsoon season, which brings heavy rains.
April and May—High humidity and heat
Planning Filming Equipment Rental & Local Crew Logistics
It is better to rent equipment locally. India’s many film rental equipment companies can provide you with top-grade audiovisual gear at competitive pricing.
You will easily find English-speaking local film crews in India, espcially in the larger cities such as Mumbai, Delhi, Bengaluru, Hyderabad, and Chennai. You may be charged a higher fee for this skill, but it will still be more cost-effective when compared to crew fees in Western countries.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is it an ATA carnet country?
Yes, it is, so you can organize to ship your filming equipment with you without any extra tax costs.
Is it safe for me and my team to film there?
India is generally safe for foreign crews, but taking suitable safety measures such as having a local fixer to guide you and manage logistics is advsiable.
Do I need a visa or a work visa to film there?
It is usual for foreign film crews to need a business visa and, depending on the size and length of the production, possibly a film visa too.
Do I need a local company to film or get visas there?
It is not mandatory, but it can help.
Do I need a permit for drones?
To use a drone for filming while in India, you’ll need it to be registered with the DGCA, and, in most cases, a licensed local pilot is recommended.
Is there a cash rebate/tax exemption or any other fiscal advantage?
Some states such as Maharashtra, Rajasthan, Telangana, and Tamil Nadu provide around 20-30% rebates on eligible local expenses.
Can I shoot in a national park and, if so, under what circumstances?
It is possible to shoot your film in a national park but only after you have received permission from the Ministry of Environment, Forest, and Climate Change and the corresponding State Forest Department.
Working with Fixer India
You cannot go wrong working with us as your production partner in India. Not only will we be able to help you maneuver around all the red tape that can be involved in an Indian film production, but our experience working on international productions will give you the confidence you need to film here. We’ve serviced a wide range of clientele, including UNICEF, Galileo ProSieben, LEDARS, National Geographic, and more.
