Russia courts Indian filmmakers with up to 45% rebates and no cultural conditions – Beyond Bollywood

At FICCI Frames 2025, Russia unveiled a lucrative incentive plan inviting Indian, and global producers to shoot in Moscow, offering reimbursements up to 45% and grants up to 20 million rubles (Rs1.9 cr)

By Mayur Lookhar

Even as Russia remains entangled in conflict and geopolitical isolation, its cultural and economic engines show little sign of slowing. Far from retreating, Moscow is actively courting international collaboration in cinema.

At FICCI Frames 2025, Russian representatives extended a compelling invitation to Indian, and world filmmakers to shoot in Moscow, announcing production reimbursements of up to 45 percent of total expenses, capped at 50 million rubles (around Rs4.75 cr) per project.

Officials emphasised that these incentives come without creative conditions , Indian producers can tell their own stories without having to align scripts to promote Russian culture. The initiative, they said, aims to make Moscow a global production hub by offering direct funding to Moscow-based companies working with foreign filmmakers.

The rebates include a 30 percent production refund, 15 percent visa support, and hospitality discounts of up to 50 percent. Additional benefits include a “Moscow Image” grant worth 20 million rubles (approximately Rs1.9 cr ) for projects that feature Moscow’s cultural sites, and up to 15 percent cost-offsetting advantages for shoots within the Moskino infrastructure.

Indian production houses have already tested the terrain. Yash Raj Films’ Pathaan filmed key portions in Moscow, while Red Chillies Entertainment also shot in Russia. Representatives hinted that more Indian productions are likely to follow, drawn by the city’s streamlined permissions and financial support.

Film Park Moskino, one of Moscow’s major studio parks, spans over 1,100 hectares with more than 100 unique locations and 20 large-scale sets, offering a vast canvas for filmmakers. Complementing it is the Gorky Film Studio, a century-old establishment featuring five studios covering 3,295 m², 750 m² of XR studios, and over 200,000 costumes and props.

Projects spending at least 15 million rubles (around Rs1.4 cr) in Moscow qualify for rebates, with filming permissions often processed at reduced or zero cost by the Moscow Film Commission.

As Russian representatives summed up at FICCI Frames, “Whether it’s a feature film, series, or documentary, Moscow welcomes your story.”