Indian Cinema - What a Pity!!!!

One of the main reasons behind this blog is the 36th International Film Festival of India held at Goa, which has agitated me to no end. Being a film professional in India it really pains to see bollywood becoming synonymous to Indian Cinema. No doubt bollywood churns out big budget films catering to bigger markets, but Indian cinema does not end there. And this is something the organizers of IFFI should wake up to. If ever their narrow perspective dares to widen and look beyond their own constricted world, they can see an industry that churns more number of films with far more superior stories, gripping screenplays and phenomenal actors... and that is the South Indian film industry.

Its ironical that bollywood which endlessly chants Ram Gopal Varma’s success mantras, honors Mani Ratnam’s intelligent films and worships Ravi K Chandran’s Cinematography has failed to trace that such genius has originated from the south.

Bollywood is so lost in its shallow glamour and narcissist glory; it is blissfully ignorant of any brilliance outside of it. And IFFI is a sample of this vanity.

Consider the plight of Malayalam Director Albert whose film Kanne Madanguka was screened in the feature film section of Indian Panorama at IFFI. "I myself had to stick posters of my film as the organizers didn't bother to. Bollywood posters are put up everywhere, leaving no space for other films” he complains in vain.

IFFI’s disregard does not end with the ‘god’s own country’ it callously ridicules the Kannada Film Industry as well.

Dr. Rajkumar was the legendary actor of the kannada film industry. He has acted in more than 200 films ruling the industry for 50 years. He won ten filmfare awards in the best actor category, which happens to be the second highest in the history of Indian Films. He is the recipient of Padma Bhushan and Dada Saheb Phalke awards from the Government of India. And innumerable state awards for his contribution to Indian Cinema. Now with what audacity did the organizers of IFFI print the picture of the veteran Kannada Director Girish Kasaravalli instead of the iconic actor Rajkumar in the obituary written for him in their brochure?

It not only dishonors the memorable actor but also Mr. Girish kasaravalli who is the youngest recipient of the "Swarna Kamal" (Golden Lotus) for 'Best Feature Film', from the Government of India.

Indian Cinema will continue to glorify bollywood unless South Indian film professionals and audience propel the change. True we don’t want to stoop down and fight but also don’t want to lie down and be walked over.
-Vidya Reddy