We make filming
in India simple.

Permits, locations, crew, logistics, we’ve got it all
covered, letting you focus on filming with fast, reliable,
and hassle-free production support across India.

Get in touch
Our Services

Backpack Films is your on-the-ground partner in India, ensuring your production runs smoothly from start to finish. With our expertise, you get seamless execution, local insight, and a team that makes things happen.

Whether it’s a crowded city or a remote village,
we make sure your production runs without hiccups.
We handle fixing and production, permits, equipment
and crew
, research, remote shoots, and all travel
and logistics
— so you don’t have to.

Filming in India means navigating tight deadlines, tricky logistics, and complex regulations. Whether you're in a crowded city or a remote village. You need a team that knows the terrain, anticipates issues, and keeps production moving. That’s where we come in.

We've got all your Production Needs in our Backpack
Crafting Epic
Stories across India

Need to shoot in India with top-notch location producers and fixers? You’re in luck! At Backpack Films, we bring over 25 years of international production expertise to the table. Our crew handles it all -securing permits, speaking 15 Indian languages, nailing logistics, digging deep with research, and sourcing film gear even in the wildest corners. Plus, we’re always up for a beer after a solid day’s work!

More About Us

Content We Craft

Documentary Films

From the bustling streets of Mumbai to the serene Himalayas, this diverse nation offers endless possibilities for documentary filmmaking. Our expertise spans collaborations with an extraordinary range of talent: from global celebrities and survival specialists to world leaders and culinary masters.

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Corporate & Branded
Content

India with it's large and tech-savvy young population, is one of the biggest consumer markets in the world. Most of the big international corporations, internet giants, FMCG brands, financial institutions, fashion labels, social media companies have a huge presence here.

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Brands we have collaborated with

A reliable partner for
world class quality and
on-time delivery

What our Partners
say about us

Working with Amit and Backpack films was an absolute pleasure. They insured our team was always up to speed and ready to go for all of our shoot requirements. From large scale shoots to small scale ones Amit and his team are nothing but professional and a delight to work with.

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Amber Fahrner
Production Coordinator
RD Content

After working with Amit and the crew at Backpack I immediately told several of my other producer friends here in the states that I had a great partner for them in India. Working with this crew was excellent. They are super professional, easy to trust and you are going to want to grab drinks with them after. They are a collection of really talented and good hearted humans. 10/10 would work with them again when the opportunity presents itself.

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Davis Goslin
Producer
Wondercamp

I'd previously worked with Amit on a Gordon Ramsay series years ago, so I knew we were in safe hands. We were a fairly big team, often splitting across multiple locations, and taking high profile talent overseas always presents it's own challenges. Thankfully Amit and his fellow fixers worked hard to ensure that we were well looked after, and solved a number of issues which would have been near impossible to resolve without them. I would definitely use them again.

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Sean Moxhay
Head of Production
Jamie Oliver Productions

Amit and his team at Backpack Films are diligent, precise and practical. They tell you what can be done, and find alternative solutions where your requests are difficult to achieve. They care about your shoot, and making it the best it can be.

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Amanda Lyon
Series Director
BBC

Amit is genuinely interested in the ideas behind projects (I have approached him about two totally different projects and found him willing to engage with both of them) - I’ve always had a quick response to enquiries leading to a free-flowing exchange of ideas for locations and talent in India. Lots of parts of India become possible for filming in India based on Backpack Films’ depth of experience working with foreign crews across the subcontinent. We received plenty of practical advice and support for the completion of all filming permit paperwork. Money is invariably tight on a New Zealand-funded production. Backpack Films found ways of making possible our shoot in India despite the limited funds available to it. We came away with stunning footage from a rarely seen corner of India and a happy crew.

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Jasmine Millet
Producer & Director
Story Shop Ltd

We've worked with Amit on a couple of tricky and unusual projects, at either ends of India. Each time, he's set us up with exactly what we need and has been perfectly reliable and responsive throughout. I don't think I'd risk filming in India without his support and his network!

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Richard Neville
Founder
Animl

Working with Amit and Backpack Films was a pleasure and the guidance and support given from them was top notch. The result of what we produced was made all the better by having Backpack Films on our side. Appreciate them very much and wouldn’t question using them again.

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Rick Horsfall
Proudfoot

Amit and Backpack Films were frankly indispensable on our latest endeavour to India. From day one we knew we were in safe hands. Amit handled all of our production needs professionally, swiftly, and most importantly, with a smile. He is the go-to guy for British production companies needing a facilitator in India, simply excellent!

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Ian Homans
Production Manager
ITV Studios Limited

Amit at Backpack Films is simply our GO TO person, and I would strongly recommend him to anyone that plans to film in India. Our production has used him and his great supporting team on three occasions, shooting and scouting in multiple Indian cities and locations. He has an incredible knowledge of how things work in India, and his extensive experience & connections gave us invaluable production support across every area in the production process, from applying for our Visa’s, compliance, locations, finding people, sourcing local production assistance, helping with medical care, difficult shooting conditions and right through to the final edit. Throughout, Backpack films were a very big asset to our team Amit’s brilliant humour, professionalism and support carried us through many, many challenging shoots, often in hostile & tricky locations. His bespoke service based on the team’s magical needs was legendary. I literally expected miracles and I got them.

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Debbie E Young
Series Producer
Dynamo: Magician Impossible

We love working with Backpack films as they provide an excellent team who shoot beautifully, have great country knowledge and are a joy to work with.

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Sophie Taylor
Founder
Taylor Made Media

Frequently Asked Questions

What permits are required to film in India?
Documentary and television productions require a "Filming in India" permit issued by the Ministry of External Affairs in New Delhi. Applications must be submitted through the High Commission of India or Indian Consulate in your home country. The approval process typically takes 10-12 weeks and requires regular follow-up. We provide comprehensive guidance throughout the application process, including access to necessary documentation and website links.
Which visas are required for film crews?
Documentary and Factual Content: All crew and cast members require J (Journalist) visas, which can only be applied for after receiving the Filming in India permit.

Corporate and Branded Content: Business visas are required, obtained through an invitation from your Indian client with local operations. The visa processing time is typically 10-15 business days.
Can we hire local crew members?
India's established film industries provide access to experienced crew members including camera operators, sound recordists, and camera assistants. We provide detailed crew options with professional showreels for your review and selection.
Do you provide accommodation and transportation arrangements?
Our travel coordination team arranges comprehensive transport and accommodation services nationwide. All vehicles are provided with experienced, safety-certified drivers. Hotel options are curated based on your budget parameters and specific requirements.
Can you handle production without our crew traveling to India?
We offer complete remote filming services utilizing local crew and equipment across all regions. Our services include real-time remote viewing capabilities for shoot monitoring and post-production delivery via digital upload or courier services.
What location-specific permissions are required for filming?
India's filming permission framework varies by location type and governing authority. Archaeological monuments, airports, railway stations/trains, and wildlife parks each require permits from their respective regulatory bodies. Permissions may be required from central government agencies, state governments, or both, depending on the location. Municipal authorities in certain cities and towns also mandate local filming permits. We manage the entire permission process across all relevant jurisdictions.
Should we bring our own camera equipment or rent locally?
Both options are viable. For international equipment, you will need either an ATA Carnet or a Customs Exemption letter from the Indian High Commission/Consulate. ATA Carnets are recommended for substantial equipment shipments.

Local rental services are available in major film industry centers including Delhi, Mumbai, Chennai, Bangalore, and Hyderabad, offering popular camera, lighting, and accessory brands. For smaller towns and rural locations, equipment is sourced from the nearest major city. Please note that Indian rental houses provide supervised equipment rental services with technical personnel included.
What are the recommended transportation options for crew and equipment?
For small crews, we recommend Toyota Innova vehicles. Larger crews are best accommodated in Tempo Traveller or Urbania vans. In cities with challenging parking and navigation conditions, Toyota Innovas are preferred for their maneuverability.
What are the optimal filming seasons in India?
November through March offers the most favorable weather conditions across most regions, with cooler temperatures ideal for outdoor filming. April onwards marks the onset of summer with significantly higher temperatures. The monsoon season (June-August) brings heavy to intermittent rainfall throughout the country. Indoor filming schedules are unaffected by seasonal weather patterns.
Can we bring international drone equipment and operators?
International drone imports are prohibited under Indian regulations. We provide access to certified local drone operators nationwide across all drone categories and specifications.
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