Filmmaking in Gujarat will accelerate the principles of Swadeshi and Atmanirbharta – Chief Minister

Gujarat Tourism Corporation (TCGL) Signs MoU with Worldwide Media Pvt. Ltd. to Host 70th Filmfare Awards 2025 in the Presence of Chief Minister Shri Bhupendra Patel
 
Gujarat Emerges as a preferred destination for investment for the entertainment industry: Chief Minister Shri Bhupendra Patel

Chief Minister Shri Bhupendra Patel:
•    State Support for Filmfare Awards Aligns with Double Engine Government’s Commitment to Film Industry Growth and Cinematic Tourism
•    Filmmaking in Gujarat will accelerate the principles of Swadeshi and Atmanirbharta 
 
Gandhinagar, Aug 2025:  An MoU was signed in Gandhinagar between Tourism Corporation of Gujarat Limited (TCGL) and Worldwide Media Pvt. Ltd. in the presence of Chief Minister Shri Bhupendra Patel for hosting the 70th Filmfare Awards 2025.

The agreement was signed by MD of TCGL Shri Prabhav Joshi, and Worldwide Media’s Shri Rohit Gopakumar. Under the Cinematic Tourism Policy 2022, Gujarat has emerged as a hub for the film industry. Hosting the Filmfare Awards will be a landmark in this journey.

On the occasion, the Chief Minister also unveiled the iconic Filmfare Trophy – the Black Lady.

Gujarat to Host Filmfare Awards for Second Consecutive Time, On the occasion of the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) for the Filmfare Awards, notable dignitaries in attendance included Tourism Minister Shri Mulubhai Bera, Minister of State Shri Bhikhu Sinh Parmar, Additional Chief Secretary to the Chief Minister Shri M.K. Das, Tourism Secretary Shri Rajender Kumar, Managing Director and Tourism Commissioner of the Tourism Corporation Shri Prabhav Joshi, as well as Managing Director of the Times Group Shri Vineet Jain, CEO of World Wide Media Shri Rohit Gopakumar, renowned Hindi filmmaker Shri Karan Johar, and actor Vikrant Massey.

Chief Minister Shri Bhupendra Patel highlighted that under Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi’s guidance, Gujarat has received a new direction in economic, social, and cultural development, making it a preferred destination for entertainment investments. He emphasised that the film industry can strongly promote Swadeshi (indigenous production) and Atmanirbharta (self-reliance). Hosting the prestigious Filmfare Awards in Gujarat will not only boost the local economy and generate employment but also encourage the purchase and sale of local products, fulfilling the Prime Minister’s call for Vocal for Local and reinforcing the adoption of indigenous goods and services.

Guided by the vision of Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi, the Government of Gujarat has introduced the Gujarat Filming Incentive Scheme and the Cinematic Tourism Policy to promote films. As a result, Gujarat—already known as a model of development—is now becoming a hub for the film industry.

Chief Minister Shri Bhupendra Patel stated that hosting the 70th Filmfare Awards will serve as a milestone, showcasing Gujarat’s tourism legacy and heritage to the world. He highlighted that Gujarat is also emerging as a major centre for the concert economy, with the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad, having a seating capacity of one lakh, proving the city’s capability to host large-scale events.

The Filmfare Awards will serve as a prominent platform to highlight Gujarat’s rich and diverse attractions to both national and international audiences, including the White Desert of Kachchh, Sabarmati Ashram, Somnath, Dwarka, Gir National Park, the Statue of Unity, and Shivrajpur Beach. To ensure the successful hosting of this prestigious event, the state government and local authorities will invest in improving infrastructure, transport, and hospitality facilities. These development initiatives will not only support the award ceremony but also strengthen Gujarat’s tourism infrastructure, making the state an even more attractive destination for visitors in the long term.

On this occasion, Managing Director of the Times Group Shri Vineet Jain expressed gratitude on behalf of the organisation to the Government of Gujarat and its citizens for their support under the visionary leadership of Chief Minister Shri Bhupendra Patel. He noted that with Gujarat set to host the Filmfare Awards 2025 for the second consecutive time, the state has become a confluence of culture and entertainment, opening new opportunities in both the film and tourism sectors. For over 70 years, the Filmfare Awards have celebrated the best in Indian cinema, and Gujarat’s association with this legacy further highlights its progressive vision.

At the welcome ceremony, Tourism Secretary Shri Rajender Kumar said it is a matter of pride that Gujarat will host the Filmfare Awards 2025 for the second time. Gujarat has previously hosted global events, including the ICC World Cup, Filmfare Awards, and a Coldplay concert, all of which were supported by government incentives such as single-window clearances and tax benefits. This MoU, he noted, marks a new milestone for Gujarat’s film sector.

Worldwide Media CEO Shri Rohit Gopakumar said Gujarat has built a unique identity across four pillars—ancient heritage (Indus Valley civilisation), spiritual (Dwarka, Palitana), artistic (Kachchh and Dang crafts), and modern (Amul’s White Revolution, Vibrant Gujarat, Statue of Unity). He added that entertainment is now emerging as the fifth pillar, strengthened by the state’s progressive film policy. Hosting the Filmfare Awards 2025 in Gujarat for the second time will further reinforce this vision.

Filmmaker Karan Johar expressed gratitude to the state, recalling the 69th Filmfare Awards in Gujarat last year and celebrating the return of the 70th edition.

Actor Vikrant Massey expressed that Gujarat, known as the “Land of Culture,” holds a special place in his heart due to his friends in Ahmedabad, Vadodara, and Navsari. He added that he received his first Filmfare Award in Gujarat last year at the Gift City event, and hosting the Filmfare Awards 2025 in the state again is a matter of pride for him.

Tourism Corporation MD Shri Prabhav Joshi expressed his gratitude.

The MoU between Gujarat Tourism Corporation and Worldwide Media Pvt. Ltd. was signed in the presence of filmmakers, actors, technicians, and invited guests associated with film production and acting.

Source: Information Department, Gujarat