Budding screenwriters -- this is one of those reports that could change your life. That Bollywood is desperate for fresh ideas has been obvious for some time now, going by the many sequels, remakes and 'inspired' films being churned out on most Fridays. The good news is, the industry is now willing to move beyond its little camps for a great idea.
Mukta Arts has announced an open offer of Rs 1 crore to a screenwriter who can bring forth a complete, bound script -- one that can convince the selection committee to acquire it on the first hearing! It's a tough ask, of course, but no one said earning a crore was easy.
According to filmmaker Subhash Ghai, chairman, Mukta Arts Ltd and Whistling Woods International Film and Television Institute, "If we say we are perpetually on the lookout for good scripts, why can't we put our money where our mouth is and pay for a brilliant script? A crore is a fair price, especially when we are going to spend 25 to 50 crores to produce the film."
His institute, promoted by Mukta Arts, has also extended scholarships and special loans to promising applicants for the screenwriting program. "Screenwriting is going to be the highest paid profession in the media, in the near future," he adds "So, now is the appropriate time for today's youth to understand the importance of this profession and consider it seriously. The writer is the real creator of media -- be it films, television or animation."
For the millions obsessed with Bollywood, this could be that much-desired golden ticket.