Hindi film producer Smita Thackeray has announced the launch of a new Indian film-industry body called Cinema People's Academy.

Modelled on the US Academy of Motion Pictures Arts and Sciences (AMPAS), it will also be create a new Awards ceremony for Hindi Film industry. The other major objective of the Academy is to take up welfare activities within the Hindi film industry.

Thackeray was until recently the President of the Indian Motion Picture Producers Association and her initiative is likely to attract major film producers, directors and distributors.

The Hindi film industry already has several major annual Awards including the Filmfare awards, the IIFA, the Screen Awards, the Race Awards and the Government backed National Film Awards.

In addition the Film Federation of India chooses the annual entry for the foreign language section of the Oscars.