A Nation in Frame: India’s Filmmaking Centers Rise

By Pickle May 10, 2026

Cinematic India: A Global Powerhouse Map

Maharashtra

Mumbai, often hailed as the financial heartbeat of the country, is equally renowned as the epicentre of India’s film industry. Producing around 200 Hindi films annually—alongside a vibrant slate of Marathi cinema—the city continues to define the scale and spirit of Indian filmmaking. In 2025, the Government of Maharashtra unveiled a series of forward-looking initiatives aimed at cementing its status as a global filmmaking hub.

The state’s cinematic landscape is shaped by two distinct yet complementary streams. On one hand is mainstream Bollywood, celebrated for its signature blend of melodrama, romance, music, and moral narratives. On the other lies parallel cinema, a more niche but critically significant movement that foregrounds realism and socially relevant storytelling. Together, they reflect the breadth of Maharashtra’s creative output. In recent years, Marathi cinema has experienced a remarkable resurgence, with several films earning both critical acclaim and international visibility, particularly on global streaming platforms such as Netflix and Amazon Prime Video.

A key factor behind this success is Maharashtra’s robust filmmaking infrastructure. At its core lies Dadasaheb Phalke Chitranagri, a sprawling complex spread across 521 acres and equipped with 16 studios, comprehensive production support, and modern amenities. Complementing this are iconic studios like Filmistan Studio and Mehboob Studio, along with a thriving AVGC (Animation, Visual Effects, Gaming, and Comics) ecosystem in Pune that supports cutting-edge post-production work. Beyond studio spaces, the state offers an extraordinary range of outdoor locations—from the lush Western Ghats to scenic beaches, historic forts, and regal palaces—making it a filmmaker’s dream destination.

Recognizing the industry’s potential, Maharashtra has introduced transformative policy measures. In 2025, Marathi cinema was granted industry status, unlocking access to tax incentives, subsidies, and financial support. Plans are also underway to establish a full-fledged campus of the Indian Institute of Creative Technologies at Film City, backed by an investment of ₹400 crore. This institution aims to position India as a global creative powerhouse by offering advanced training in filmmaking, animation, VFX, and digital media.

Private investment is also playing a pivotal role. The Prime Focus Group is developing a ₹3,000 crore entertainment ecosystem in Mumbai, designed to attract international productions, generate employment, and strengthen infrastructure. Meanwhile, the state’s New Industrial Policy 2025—targeting ₹40 lakh crore in investments and the creation of five million jobs—promises to indirectly bolster the film sector through enhanced economic activity and improved facilities.

Institutional support further underpins this growth. Bodies such as the Maharashtra Film Cell and the Film Tourism Promotion Council actively promote filmmaking in the state, while financial assistance schemes continue to support Marathi filmmakers.

Together, these developments highlight Maharashtra’s commitment to nurturing a dynamic and globally competitive film industry—one that seamlessly blends tradition with innovation, and storytelling with state-of-the-art technology.

Tamil Nadu

Chennai, the capital of Tamil Nadu, stands as the vibrant heart of India’s Tamil film industry—popularly known as Kollywood. With a cinematic legacy spanning more than a century, the city has consistently produced films that shape cultural conversations both within India and across the global Tamil diaspora.

Tamil cinema enjoys a far-reaching audience, extending beyond the state to regions like Kerala, Karnataka, and Andhra Pradesh, as well as international communities in Malaysia, Singapore, and Canada. This widespread appeal reflects the industry’s ability to balance mass entertainment with meaningful storytelling.

At its core, Kollywood thrives on a dynamic blend of commercial spectacle and artistic exploration. Mainstream films, much like those of Bollywood, often revolve around star power, emotional drama, and music-driven narratives. Legendary actors such as Rajinikanth and Kamal Haasan have remained enduring icons, commanding audiences across generations. Carrying this legacy forward is a new wave of stars including Vijay, Suriya, and Dhanush, who continue to define contemporary Tamil cinema.

Parallel to this star-driven ecosystem is a thriving space for innovative filmmakers who operate outside traditional frameworks. These creators are increasingly producing low-budget, content-focused films that resonate strongly with modern audiences, particularly through global streaming platforms like Netflix and Amazon Prime Video. Filmmakers such as Mani Ratnam have played a pivotal role in bridging the gap between artistic integrity and commercial success, bringing Tamil cinema to a wider international audience.

Supporting this creative output is Chennai’s advanced filmmaking infrastructure. Renowned production hubs like AVM Studios and Prasad Studios have long been pillars of the industry. Meanwhile, M.G.R. Film City has undergone significant upgrades, including modern animation and visual effects facilities, improved dubbing theatres, and expanded accommodation for film professionals. The city’s growing Animation, Visual Effects, Gaming, and Comics (AVGC) sector further strengthens its position, with numerous studios contributing to both domestic productions and international projects.

A major milestone in the state’s cinematic journey came in 2024 with the announcement of a new ₹500-crore film city in Kuthambakkam, in Thiruvallur district near Chennai. Spread across 152 acres, this ambitious project which is yet to begin is envisioned as a world-class facility, featuring cutting-edge post-production studios, virtual production technologies, animation and VFX units, LED walls, and even a five-star hotel.

Backing these advancements is the Tamil Nadu government’s long-standing commitment to cinema through progressive, film-friendly policies. Together, these efforts continue to position Chennai as a dynamic hub where tradition, innovation, and storytelling converge on a global stage.

Hyderabad, Andhra Pradesh – Telangana

Hyderabad has firmly established itself as the powerhouse of Telugu cinema—one of the most prolific and commercially successful film industries in India. Serving audiences across both Telangana and Andhra Pradesh, the region boasts nearly 2,800 cinema halls, the highest concentration in any part of the country, reflecting the sheer scale of its film culture.

Over the past decade, Telugu cinema has frequently surpassed other Indian industries, including Hindi, in annual film output. Its influence is evident in the growing number of Hindi and Tamil remakes inspired by Telugu blockbusters, underlining the mass appeal of stories emerging from Hyderabad.

The city is home to some of India’s most iconic production houses, built by pioneers such as B. N. Reddy, L. V. Prasad, Akkineni Nageswara Rao, and D. Ramanaidu. Though much of the Telugu film industry was once based in Chennai, a steady shift over the past three decades has transformed Hyderabad into its undisputed hub. Today, Hyderabad’s film ecosystem thrives on world-class infrastructure and globally recognized talent. Filmmakers like S. S. Rajamouli and stars such as Prabhas have propelled Telugu cinema onto the global stage, particularly with the success of Baahubali.

A major force behind this rise is the proactive push from the Telangana government, which has adopted a forward-thinking approach to develop the state as a global media and entertainment hub. Through progressive policies, investment incentives, and infrastructure development, the government is actively nurturing the AVGC (Animation, Visual Effects, Gaming, and Comics) sector.

At the centre of this vision is the IMAGE Towers project—a state-of-the-art, 600,000-square-foot facility designed to house over 200 AVGC-XR companies. Equipped with shared high-end infrastructure such as motion capture studios, virtual production environments, and preview theatres, it is envisioned as a collaborative ecosystem for next-generation content creation. The initiative reflects the government’s commitment to not just supporting filmmaking, but future-proofing the industry.

This policy push has also attracted major international VFX players. Global studios such as Netflix, through its subsidiary Eyeline Studios, have established a significant presence in Hyderabad, contributing to global productions. Alongside them, leading Indian studios such as Makuta VFX and Pixelloid Studios continue to deliver high-end visual effects for both domestic blockbusters and international projects.

With cutting-edge technology, diverse filming locations, and strong institutional backing, Hyderabad offers a seamless, end-to-end production environment. Backed by sustained government support and increasing global collaboration, the city is no longer just the heart of Telugu cinema—it is rapidly emerging as one of the world’s most dynamic hubs for film production and digital storytelling.

Kerala

Thiruvananthapuram (formerly Trivandrum), the capital of Kerala, serves as a key centre of the Malayalam film industry alongside Kochi. Though cinema in Kerala dates back to the silent era, its early growth was gradual, with only a handful of films produced before India’s independence in 1947. However, from the 1950s onward, Malayalam cinema not only caught up with the rest of the country but also carved a distinct identity as a pioneer of India’s parallel cinema movement.

The industry has produced some of India’s most respected cinematic voices. Actors like Mohanlal and Mammootty enjoy nationwide acclaim, while filmmakers such as Adoor Gopalakrishnan, Shaji N. Karun, and G. Aravindan have earned international recognition for their deeply artistic and socially conscious work.

Interestingly, much like other regional industries, Malayalam cinema was initially based in Chennai during its formative years. It was only by the late 1980s that the industry fully relocated to Thiruvananthapuram, where it continues to thrive today. Like other Indian film industries, Malayalam cinema balances mainstream entertainment with a strong tradition of realistic, socially relevant storytelling—a hallmark that has defined its global reputation.

The golden era of the 1970s and 1980s, led by auteurs like Adoor Gopalakrishnan and G. Aravindan, brought Kerala cinema to national and international prominence. That legacy continues today, with filmmakers consistently producing content-driven, meaningful cinema that resonates with both critics and audiences.

The Kerala government has played a proactive role in nurturing this ecosystem. In a forward-looking move, the state is exploring entry into the online streaming space to provide a platform for low-budget and independent films. Efforts are also underway to make the industry more inclusive, including initiatives that actively support women directors. Additionally, Kerala’s Film Policy offers fiscal incentives for regional cinema, feature films, children’s films, and documentaries produced within the state.

Infrastructure development has further strengthened the industry. The Kerala State Film Development Corporation operates the Chitranjali Studio, a sprawling 70-acre facility located near Kovalam Beach. Equipped with state-of-the-art pre-production, production, and post-production amenities, it serves as a cornerstone of filmmaking in the region. Another key facility is Kalabhavan Digital Studio, a division of Chitranjali that caters specifically to television production.

With its rich legacy, strong government backing, and commitment to meaningful storytelling, Thiruvananthapuram continues to anchor one of India’s most artistically respected film industries.

Madhya Pradesh

Bhopal, the capital of Madhya Pradesh, occupies a distinctive position in India’s cinematic landscape. Unlike established film industry hubs such as Mumbai or Chennai, Madhya Pradesh does not have a consolidated, full-fledged film industry of its own. Instead, it functions primarily as a major filming destination—an expansive open studio that attracts productions from across India and abroad due to its diverse locations, historical architecture, and improving production infrastructure.

This role has strengthened significantly in recent years, especially after the state received the Government of India’s “Most Film Friendly State” award in 2017. The transformation has been driven by strong government intervention and policy reforms, most notably the Madhya Pradesh Film Tourism Policy 2020 which has been revised in 2025 to make it more inclusive and dynamic. The policy aims to position the state as a leading production hub by offering subsidies of up to ₹10 crore for international projects and extending structured support to films, web series, and documentaries. A key requirement is that at least 75% of filming must take place within the state to qualify for incentives, ensuring meaningful on-ground production activity.

A major factor behind Madhya Pradesh’s growing appeal is its simplified and filmmaker-friendly bureaucracy. The introduction of a single-window clearance system under the Public Services Guarantee Act has significantly reduced delays in permissions from multiple departments. This streamlined approval mechanism has been central to making the state more efficient and production-friendly, directly contributing to the rise in film shoots.

The policy also encourages culturally rooted storytelling by offering additional subsidies for projects in regional languages such as Baghelkhandi, Nimari, Gondi, Bhili, and Korku. Extra incentives are also provided for films focusing on women, youth, and education, reinforcing the state’s emphasis on socially relevant cinema.

In recent years, Madhya Pradesh has hosted more than 350 film and OTT projects, with investments crossing approximately ₹700 crore and generating over 1.25 lakh temporary job days. Multiple OTT production and large-scale film shoots across locations like Bhopal, Indore, Mandu, and Orchha, highlight the state’s growing prominence as a filming base rather than a production centre.

The 2025 policy further expands this vision by linking filmmaking with emerging sectors like animation, gaming, and visual effects (VFX), positioning Madhya Pradesh within India’s broader digital media economy. With its combination of natural diversity, improved infrastructure, and highly streamlined governance, the state continues to evolve as a strategic production destination.

In essence, while Madhya Pradesh has successfully repositioned itself as one of India’s most film-friendly production landscapes—where policy support and administrative efficiency are transforming the state into a dynamic cinematic backdrop.

Jammu & Kashmir

Jammu and Kashmir has been a paradise for film shooting for its mesmerizing natural beauty and unparalleled scenic landscapes, and together with Jammu and Ladakh regions, the state remains a filmmaker’s delight for new locales. To further promote the film industry in Jammu and Kashmir, a holistic Film Policy – J&K Film Policy has been formulated based on the suggestions received from the film fraternity and studying the film policies of several states in India.

The policy aims to attract greater investment in the film sector and make Jammu and Kashmir a choicest destination for film shooting of both national and international filmmakers. Under the policy, the government has set up single-window clearance mechanism to provide permissions for shooting within 2 to 4 weeks; prepared equipment, location and talent directories besides offering fiscal incentives for filmmakers coming to the UT.

The Jammu & Kashmir Film Development Council (JKFDC) has been constituted to achieve the objectives of the Film Policy and transform it into a unique film destination.

Jammu & Kashmir has a long and cherished tradition of film shooting, and its breath-taking locales, a large number of religious and heritage sites, dense forests, waterfalls, and a film-exposed manpower make the area an attractive site for film shooting and its development. The Dal Lake dotted with innumerable houseboats and the distant snow-covered mountains, along with Gulmarg, Sonmarg, and Pahalgam at higher levels, add unique colors to the surroundings.

The Tourism department of the UT has identified 300 new destinations for film shootings and will facilitate production houses as part of the efforts to create nationally competitive infrastructure in Jammu & Kashmir.

Attractive packages of assistance and schemes/systems of financial support required in suitable cases are also provided. Non-government organizations associated with the publicity of cinema are also getting promoted.