The article of The Hindu As follows.
Indian cinema in pretty -good shape
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Date: 20-01-1996 :: Pg: 17 :: Col: a
Cl: Arts
From S. R. Ashok Kummar
NEW DELHI, Jan. 19.
An actor's press conference always attracts good crowds
and this was proved beyond doubt at the ongoing 27th
International Film Festival of India here today. There was Kamal
Hassan, the heart throb of Indian cinema, and Amol Palekar, who
has shifted with ease from the arc lights to the megaphone.
Speaking about his recent film `Banagarwadi' (The village
has no walls), Palekar said that he transformed the Marathi
classic into celluloid. ``I think what I did was a personal
challenge. It was not easy to take up a classic of this type and
shape it into film.''
`Banagarwadi' is a Marathi film set in the 1940s in a
village. The story revolves around a teacher who comes to this
village and tries his best to do some good for the people. He
meets with some success but before he can finish his work he is
transferred.
Palekar noted that the Indian cinema was in pretty good
shape. ``You must judge the industry by the number of significant
films and not by its trash. Hollywood also produces its share of
trash. We are making good cinema and nothing is there for us to
worry about. As far as the Marathi films are concerned, I think
we must be happy that two Marathi films are there this time in
the Indian Panorama. It may be the starting point for Marathi
films and I foresee good and meaningful Marathi films in the
future.''
About main artists in the film, Palekar said that all of
them were new. ``In fact certain people were standing before the
camera for the first time. So they were authentic. As for the
music I had a specific theme in mind and Vanraj Bhatia did a
better work.''
Kamal Hassan was against the difference between art and
commercial cinema. He also asked why they must have two sections
like the Indian Panorama and Mainstream cinema at the festival
here. He was not scheduled to address the press till the morning
and was suddenly roped in to address presspersons at the Siri
Fort complex as he was to leave for Madras later. `Kuruthippunal'
directed by P. C. Sriram is in the mainstream section of the
festival which saw a full house at a regular commercial
screening, as he was a popular star in north India also.
Talking about his film, Kamal Hassan said he was happy
that his film was in the mainstream section. ``I do not know why
we are trying to have two different sections in this festival. I
think we must try to bridge the gap between them which was
created years ago. I am doing it and Mani Ratnam is trying it and
other younger generation directors are also doing their best to
prove this point.''
Answering a question on his film being nominated for an
Oscar, Kamal said he was happy that his film had travelled so
far. ``The film I acted has been selected for Oscars. This is not
the first time. `Sagar' (Hindi), `Sagara Sangamam' (Telugu),
`Nayagan', `Devar Magan' and the recent one `Kuruthippunal' all
from Tamil have had the privilege of going to Oscars. You must
put it this way. They were not my films except `Devar Magan' and
`Kuruthippunal' which was produced by me. Sagar was a Sippy film,
and `Nayagan' was Mani Ratnam's and `Sagara Sangamam' was K.
Viswanath's brain child. I happened to act in all these films.''
Kottarakkara is a writer and producer. He has written the
story of popular films like `Pasamalar' and `Parisu'. His film
`Aadyathe Kanmani' (First child) was screened at the mainstream
section of the festival. Stressing the need for quality
entertainment without violence and sex, Kottarakkara said all his
films were neat family dramas. ``I produced this film after a gap
of 8 years. The story of this film is going places. I feel that
in future only clean family entertainers will be successful.''
Mohan Agashe, the leading artist of `Target' directed by
Sandip Ray said there was not much difference in acting for
Satyajit Ray or his son Sandip Ray. ``Working-wise there was no
difference. I love working with Sandip but this film's screenplay
has been written by Satyajit Ray. We can expect something new
from Sandip only from his next film.''
About actors life in doing new roles, Agashe said that he
never took a preconcevied notion about any character. ``Actors
life is a dependent art. We are dependent to the writer and the
director. I have never taken a vow that I will not do this or
that. Subbash Ghai asked me to do a role in his film as landlord
which I did it. I used the inputs from Batman-Jack Nicolson.
Generaly you do not get a script but only a briefing. I enjoyed
the rhythm the most. It was very very good or very very bad.''
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