Jahnu Barua’s last film, Maine Gandhi Ko Nahin Maara dealtwith the disturbances in the relationship between a father and daughter and waslinked to Mahatma Gandhi's philosophy. His latest film Baandhon is about the26/11 terror attacks in Mumbai and tries to make a universal statement onpeace. Baandhon, produced by Assam State Film (Finance and Development)Corporation was the opening film of the Indian Panorama section, at the 43rdInternational Film Festival of India (IFFI)
Your film Baandhon opened the Indian Panorama section atIFFI. How did you react to its selection?
I am happy that my film was selected to be the inauguralfilm for the Indian Panorama section. At this moment, the film is verysignificant. Coincidentally, Ajmal Amir Kasab, the terrorist involved in Mumbaiterror attacks was hanged on the same day that my film was screened at IFFI.That was, I feel, a kind of signal which goes to my audience. It makes astatement against terror. After the screening, I was attempting to discern thereaction of the audience and I am glad it was positive.
Regional cinema, despite being effective is confined to onlyfilm festivals. What can be done to bring it to limelight?
It is really sad and it happens all over the country. Iwould say it is a disease. Even after 65 years of independence, we have notbeen able to develop a system which can encourage citizens to chase and admireexcellence. We as Indians, never try to appreciate each other’s work. Forexample, a good Malayalam film won’t be appreciated by a Bengali or a Gujarati,just because it is of a different language. It happens only in India. It islamentable that we have not been able to create an atmosphere wherein peopleget excited about seeing the best cinema. The situation is really depressingand we are the victims of it.
This is the ninth year that Goa is hosting IFFI. If Assamhad the same opportunity as Goa, do you think it would showcase regional cinemain a better way?
IFFI can happen anywhere. What is important is that thefestival needs to be held in the right spirit. At times, we see the actualpurpose of having this festival not being met. In Goa, it has been happeningfor the last eight years. The Government of India and the Government of Goahave been trying to do it together, yet we notice something lacking every year.Two mothers cannot look after one baby. The problems need to be rectified andthe things need be tuned properly to ensure the main motive of hosting a filmfestival is fulfilled.
Baandhon has been produced by the Assam state government. Doyou think the Government of Goa needs to step in and support Konkani films in asimilar way?
Yes, definitely. The purpose of making of a good film is notjust to make a film, release it in theatres and concentrate on collections. Agood film serves many purposes, mainly fighting social issues. A film caninvite many solutions. If there is a noble motive behind making a film, thegovernment authorities must come forward to support it.
