Starting a production house or media company in India can be a thrilling venture- whether you dream of making films, binge-worthy web series, catchy ad campaigns, soulful music videos, or the next big OTT hit, the possibilities are endless.
But here’s the truth- great ideas alone don’t pay the bills or win investor trust. In this industry, your creative spark must be backed by strong legal, financial, and operational groundwork.
From choosing the right business structure to securing your brand, protecting your scripts, and joining the right industry bodies, every step you take builds the foundation for a production house that’s not only creative but also credible and future-ready.
This blog walks you through the legal, financial, and operational requirements for registering and running a production house in India.
Table of Contents
Choose the Right Business Structure for Your Film Production Company
Your first decision is choosing the right legal entity. This impacts ownership, liability, taxation, funding, and compliance. Here’s how the most common options compare:
Private Limited Company
- Best choice for media companies aiming to scale, raise investment, or partner with OTT platforms.
- Offers limited liability protection, higher brand credibility, and Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) eligibility.
- Easier to bring in shareholders and attract funding from production partners or venture capital.
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LLP (Limited Liability Partnership)
- Suitable for small-to-mid scale production outfits.
- Combines the flexibility of a partnership with limited liability protection.
- Compliance is lower than that of a Private Limited Company but is still not as investor-friendly.
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Partnership Firm
- Easy to set up but offers unlimited liability, meaning partners’ personal assets may be at risk.
- Limited in terms of scalability and investor trust.
While an OPC (One Person Company) works well for solo ventures, it restricts ownership expansion and isn’t ideal for scaling or attracting investors. A Sole Proprietorship, though simple to set up, comes with unlimited personal liability and lacks credibility. So, both structures are generally not preferred for a growing film or media business aiming for scalability, credibility, and investor interest.
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Register the Production House as a Legal Entity
Once you choose your structure, follow these steps:
- Obtain DSC for directors/partners.
- Reserve your company name via the MCA portal.
- Draft and file the MoA & AoA (for companies) or LLP Agreement.
- File incorporation documents with the MCA.
- Receive Certificate of Incorporation (COI), PAN, and TAN.
Register the Brand and Logo as a Trademark
Your production house’s name and logo are powerful brand assets that set you apart in a competitive entertainment industry. Protecting them early ensures that no one else can misuse your identity or ride on your hard-earned reputation.
Steps:
- Trademark Search – Visit the IP India portal to check if a similar name or logo already exists.
- Class Selection – Most media companies file under Class 41 (entertainment services) and Class 38 (broadcasting), but additional classes may apply based on your services.
- File TM Application Online – Submit your application with the required documents and fees.
- Examination & Objections – The Trademark Registry will review your application; be prepared to respond to any objections or clarifications.
- Final Registration – Once approved, your trademark is valid for 10 years and can be renewed indefinitely, ensuring long-term brand protection.
Get Copyright Registration for Original Works
In the media business, your creative works- films, scripts, songs, storyboards, promotional videos- are valuable. Copyright registration legally secures these works, giving you the exclusive right to reproduce, distribute, adapt, and monetise them.
Steps:
- Apply online at the Copyright Office website.
- Submit the required documents (work details, creator’s info, soft copies).
- Pay the applicable fee.
- Wait for scrutiny and the issuance of the certificate.
Join a Film Producers Association
Organisations like the Indian Motion Picture Producers' Association (IMPPA), Film Producers Association of India (FPAI), and Western India Film Producers Association (WIFPA) provide legal backing, industry recognition, and a platform for networking.
Benefits include:
- Access to legal advice and dispute resolution services
- Opportunities for co-productions and collaborations
- Industry events and workshops to stay updated on trends and regulations
- Collective bargaining power and advocacy on industry matters
To join, submit your company incorporation documents and proof of work (films, scripts, or projects). Complete the membership application process as per the association’s guidelines and pay the prescribed membership fees.
Open a Current Account in Your Company’s Name
A current account is essential for managing your production house’s day-to-day financial transactions smoothly and professionally. Unlike a regular savings account, a current account offers higher transaction limits and facilities tailored for businesses, such as overdraft options and multiple signatories.
Documents Required:
- Certificate of Incorporation (COI)
- PAN card of the company
- Memorandum of Association (MoA) and Articles of Association (AoA)
- KYC documents of directors (identity and address proof)
- Proof of registered office address
Consider banks that offer robust digital banking platforms, ease of fund transfers, and competitive transaction charges. Also, check for value-added services like merchant accounts for receiving payments, foreign currency transactions, and working capital loans.
Get GST Registration and Import Export Code (IEC)
For production houses and media companies, GST registration is mandatory if your annual turnover exceeds the prescribed threshold (₹20 lakh or ₹40 lakh, depending on your state). GST compliance helps you claim input tax credits, maintain transparency, and avoid legal penalties.
If you work with international clients, monetise content on platforms like YouTube, or export your services globally (e.g., selling films or digital content overseas), obtaining an Import Export Code (IEC) is essential. IEC is issued by the Directorate General of Foreign Trade (DGFT) and acts as a license to conduct cross-border trade legally.
How to Apply:
- GST Registration can be done online via the GST portal by submitting PAN, business details, and bank information.
- IEC application is filed online on the DGFT portal, linked to your PAN, with processing typically completed within a few days.
Get Music, Scripts, and Third-Party IP Licenses
In the media and production industry, using music, scripts, or other creative content created by others requires proper licensing to avoid legal issues.
Common Types of Licenses:
- Sync License: Allows you to synchronise music with visual media like films or ads.
- Master License: Grants permission to use the original sound recording.
- Adaptation Rights: Needed if you plan to remake, translate, or modify existing works.
Key Licensing Bodies in India are IPRS (Indian Performing Right Society) & PPL (Phonographic Performance Limited).
Protect Digital Content and Manage Online Rights
In today’s digital age, safeguarding your media company’s content online is as important as creating it. With piracy and unauthorised sharing rampant, implementing strong digital protection measures helps you retain control and monetise your work effectively.
Here are a few ways you can protect and manage your digital content:
- Digital Rights Management (DRM): Technology that restricts how digital content is accessed, copied, or shared, ensuring only authorised users can view or distribute your work.
- Content ID Systems: Platforms like YouTube use automated systems to identify copyrighted content and manage its use, including monetisation or takedown.
- Watermarking and Metadata Tagging: Embedding invisible or visible markers in your videos or music that trace the content back to you, deterring theft and helping prove ownership.
- DMCA Takedown Notices: Legal requests to platforms to remove unauthorised copies of your content.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Private Limited Company
(Pvt. Ltd.)
- Service-based businesses
- Businesses looking to issue shares
- Businesses seeking investment through equity-based funding
Limited Liability Partnership
(LLP)
- Professional services
- Firms seeking any capital contribution from Partners
- Firms sharing resources with limited liability
One Person Company
(OPC)
- Freelancers, Small-scale businesses
- Businesses looking for minimal compliance
- Businesses looking for single-ownership
Private Limited Company
(Pvt. Ltd.)
- Service-based businesses
- Businesses looking to issue shares
- Businesses seeking investment through equity-based funding
One Person Company
(OPC)
- Freelancers, Small-scale businesses
- Businesses looking for minimal compliance
- Businesses looking for single-ownership
Private Limited Company
(Pvt. Ltd.)
- Service-based businesses
- Businesses looking to issue shares
- Businesses seeking investment through equity-based funding
Limited Liability Partnership
(LLP)
- Professional services
- Firms seeking any capital contribution from Partners
- Firms sharing resources with limited liability
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the minimum number of directors required to register a film production company in India?
- For a Private Limited Company, the minimum is 2 directors.
- For an LLP, at least 2 partners are required.
What is the validity of the certificate of incorporation for a film production company in India?
The Certificate of Incorporation (COI) does not expire. It is a lifetime proof of your company’s legal existence unless the company is dissolved or struck off.
What is the average time taken to complete the registration process for a film production company in India?
Typically, it takes about 7 to 15 working days from filing the incorporation documents to receiving the Certificate of Incorporation, depending on the completeness of documents and MCA processing times.
What documents are required to register a film production company in India?
- Identity and Address Proof of directors/partners (Aadhaar, Passport, Voter ID, Driving License)
- PAN Card of directors/partners
- Proof of Registered Office Address (rental agreement or utility bill)
- No Objection Certificate (NOC) from the property owner (if rented)
- Passport-sized photographs of directors/partners
- Digital Signature Certificate (DSC)
What are the risks of not registering a trademark or copyright?
- Loss of exclusive rights over your brand name, logo, or creative works
- Increased risk of brand infringement or piracy by competitors
- Difficulty in legally enforcing your ownership and protecting your content
- Potential loss of business reputation and revenue from unauthorised use
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Mukesh Goyal is a startup enthusiast and problem-solver, currently leading the Rize Company Registration Charter at Razorpay, where he’s helping simplify the way early-stage founders start and scale their businesses. With a deep understanding of the regulatory and operational hurdles that startups face, Mukesh is at the forefront of building founder-first experiences within India’s growing startup ecosystem.
An alumnus of FMS Delhi, Mukesh cracked CAT 2016 with a perfect 100 percentile- a milestone that opened new doors and laid the foundation for a career rooted in impact, scale, and community.
