By – Arpita Sondhi

Abstract

From the colorful sets of the Bollywood movies to the vibrant landscapes of regional cinema, filmmaking in India is a massive and influential operation. However, behind the glitz and glamour of the industry lies a pressing issue that often goes unnoticed- the environmental footprint of creating a film. Each stage of production, from the process of building the sets to filming, until the film is finally brought to the big screen, incurs major environmental costs. Including but not limited fuel emissions to the destruction of the natural ecosystem of the area, to the massive food waste, this article aims to explore how film production in the Bollywood industry takes an enormous toll on the environment and whether sustainable alternatives and regulations- such as green certifications and collaborations with NGOs- can help to mitigate these effects. 

Introduction 

There is always a certain magic in the air when going to the cinema hall. A bucket full of popcorn, watching a film that you have eagerly anticipated for months, will forever be a surreal experience. Whether it’s watching film stars perform the most unbelievable physics-defying stunts and saving the day, swooning over rom-coms that make us believe in love again, or simply escaping the monotony of everyday life, many things draw us to the cinema hall. However, once we step out of the movie theatre, more often than not, our discussion surrounds the plot, characters, and developments of the film; rarely do we, as average people who consume media, reflect on what goes into making the film. This article aims to explore and spark a conversation about the often-ignored reality of the Bollywood industry, i.e., the negative impact the making of the film has on the environment, while also briefly discussing the Environmental Protection Act 1986. 

Concerning Realities

The film industry has historically operated with minimal accountability regarding ensuring an environment-friendly production and post-production process. 

Depending on the size of the production and the set, it is estimated that any box-office hit emits an average of 2,840 tonnes of carbon dioxide per production.  Nearly 30 percent of the fuel emissions are caused by powering the generators that enable effective lighting and heating for the set and crew. 

Furthermore, there seems to be a severe lack of research and reporting regarding the practices that are undertaken during the process of filming. This has only contributed to making regulation a more difficult task. The majority of the data that is available to the public regarding the environmental impact of making films, TV shows, etc., is provided by the production houses themselves, leading to a severe lack of transparency. 

UCLA’s Institute of the Environment and Sustainability published a report titled “Motion Picture Industry Stability” in 2007 that summarised the findings of a 2-year project that essentially analysed the best practices within the film industry based on several interviews and case studies. The final aim was to develop a “Green Production Guide”.  Undertaking a similar task in the Bollywood industry might prove to be a difficult task, but it will help us identify the major regulatory loopholes that are being exploited, leading to environmental degradation. 

Environmental Governance

While environmental governance in India has proven to be a mammoth task, it is essential in setting a standard for the various industries bound by it. Thus, India has a comprehensive regulatory framework set in place to ensure the country’s ecological ecosystem is protected. 

One of the key legislations includes The Environmental Protection Act 1986, which was implemented to control, protect, and improve the environment, and is one of the key statutes that must be taken into consideration and complied with during the production and filming stages of making a movie/show, etc. Section 7, under Chapter III of the Act, essentially prohibits emission or discharge of any environmental pollutants beyond the current prescribed standards (i.e., those set in Rule 3 of the Environmental (Protection) Rules 1986 and Schedule I).  An interesting feature of this Act is that it grants the Central Government a wide array of powers to take several steps to regulate activities that may pose threats to the environment. For instance, under section 5 of the Act, the Central Government has the power to direct closure, regulation, or operation of any polluting activities, while section 6 enables the creation of rules and standards covering issues such as pollution limits. Finally, section 15 deals with the enforcement of penalties for not complying with the provisions of the EPA and the Rules framed thereunder. 

Under the EPA, the Government of India has also issued specific rules with the objective of efficient waste management. These include Solid Waste Management Rules, 2016, Plastic Waste Management Rules 2016, and E-Waste Management Rules, 2022, amongst others. 

As a filmmaker or producer in the Indian film industry, compliance with these (and other state-specific regulations) statutes and rules must be maintained. 

Case Study 1:Making ‘Aisa Yeh Jahaan’

Released in July of 2015, ‘Aisa Yeh Jahaan’, directed by Biswajeet Bora, was India’s first ever ‘carbon-neutral’ film. Understandably so, this was no easy task.  Bora achieved this feat by collaborating with the Centre for Environmental Research and Education (CERE).  CERE is a Mumbai-based organisation that pioneers in ensuring environmental sustainability in various sectors such as education, corporate as well as governmental departments. 

Essentially, the organisation evaluated each and every aspect of the production of the film and calculated the film’s carbon footprint. This included accounting for aspects such as transportation, set design and construction, hotel stay, among various other things.  In the end, the total emissions of the film were calculated to be nearly 78.47 metric tonnes of carbon dioxide. In order to neutralize the film’s carbon emissions, CERE proposed planting 560 indigenous trees of mixed species in specific locations where the film was shot in Assam and Mumbai. Furthermore, after these trees were planted, they were geotagged and monitored for 3 years under CERE’s Urban Afforestation Project. 

Case Study 2: Making ‘Chandigarh Kare Aashiqui’ 

The Pragya Kapoor-produced and AK-directed film ‘Chandigarh Kare Aashiqui’, released in 2021, was the second mainstream film after the 2015 release ‘Aisa Yeh Jahaan’,  to ensure a zero waste process of production. To achieve this massive feat, the production team of the film collaborated with ‘SKRAP’, an environmental sustainability firm that aids businesses and brands, to turn to zero waste practices to inspire sustainability and positive climate change. Essentially, by incorporating minor changes such as replacing plastic water bottles with reusable sippers, using plates and cutlery that were made of compostable materials, and by distributing leftover food among the less privileged, an inspiring eco-friendly movie set was created. This case study proves that while a shift to more sustainable forms of film production may be difficult, it is definitely achievable!

Conclusion 

As the Indian film industry continues to break into and deeply influence international markets, its environmental footprint continues to raise concerning flags. From massive fuel consumption and food waste to the excessive use of energy resources, the ecological cost of making films cannot be brushed aside. Furthermore, it is essential to establish mechanisms for unbiased and independent data collection and increased reporting regarding these aspects of the industry in order to be able to ensure regulation and accountability.

Case studies such as ‘Aisa Yeh Jahaan’ and ‘Chandigarh Kare Aashiqui’ clearly show that there is a shift in the way movies are being made in the industry, and that filmmakers are willing to invest the time and resources to make this shift. This only further proves that with the right partnerships, it is possible that sustainability can be integrated into this creative industry. 

Author’s Bio : Arpita Sondhi is an incoming third-year law student at Jindal Global Law School, with a keen interest in entertainment, media, and corporate law.

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