Why only tourism and beaches? Speak about Goan cinema, culture. You have wonderful music, thoughts, literature. You have not brought this out because you did not connect. Now, I am happy that Goa has brought cinema here. Now the media is also getting connected. The NYFF is also an achievement. Now people will not perceive Goa as entertainment for beaches. It will also be known for education, culture and about cinema,” he remarked.
We have been intolerant for the past 15 years: Subhash Ghai
Says CBFC is a requirement, advises students to be noble men
THE GOAN NETWORK
MARGAO
Noted Bollywood producer and director, Subhash Ghai, while claiming the debate has been our nature, said we have been intolerant for the past 15 years.
Ghai is also of the opinion that the Central Board for Film Certification (CBFC) is a requirement.
In his advise to students at the workshop conducted at the National Youth Film Festival (NYFF) at Ravindra Bhavan, Margao, Ghai called on the budding film makers to be noble men if they want to develop themselves into role models.
He however parried any questions on the recent FTII (Film and Television Institute of India) controversy in the country.
Addressing mediapersons on the concluding day of NYFF, the noted Bollywood director claimed he felt good things will prevail and bad things will go, in so far as the debate on intolerance is concerned. “We have been intolerant for the past many years .... for the past 15 years,” he stated.
Responding to questions on the role of CBFC, Ghai said he has been confronted with this question over the past many years. He said cinema makers make films and there is no solution to this debate. “Anything that comes into public domain, there have to be rules and regulations.” Asked if the CBFC has turned a tad aggressive these days, Ghai maintained that there has to be “some kind of discipline. Cinema is like a drawing room ..... the methodology can be questioned,” he replied.
Asked whether he sees the CBFC as a 'requirement,' Ghai answered in the affirmative. “The CBFC is a requirement. 95 per cent of the cinema makers are responsible (film makers) while only 5 per cent are irresponsible,” he said.
Speaking about his interaction with budding film students, Ghai said everybody wants to change India. “But I said change yourself to change India.” He felt this can happen by listening to and telling stories and connecting oneself to the past.
Questioning as to why Goa has remained an “isolated State” vis a vis films, he felt this happens only when one does not “connect.”
“Why only tourism and beaches? Speak about Goan cinema, culture. You have wonderful music, thoughts, literature. You have not brought this out because you did not connect. Now, I am happy that Goa has brought cinema here. Now the media is also getting connected. The NYFF is also an achievement. Now people will not perceive Goa as entertainment for beaches. It will also be known for education, culture and about cinema,” he remarked.
Earlier, NYFF national president, Ashok Sahota, said NYFF will be happy to make Goa a permanent venue for hosting this festival. He however said this is possible through government support and corporate aid. He claimed it is his endeavour to promote the NYFF as a national and international festival.
Upholding this opinion, NYFF Goa branch Convenor, Evencio Quadros, said if the State government takes it up as a part of the skill development programme, then the NYFF could be a great opportunity for budding student film makers.
NYFF director Ashish Kulkarni informed that 8 Goan short films made by budding Goan film makers have been screened apart from a total of 25 other short films from the national canvas at the NYFF. Among those school students who qualified included Don Bosco School, Sharada Mandir and Regina Mundi (Vasco). He felt the Goa government could introduce media studies from Std V onwards in the academic curriculum while stating that this would also help Goa establish a lead to turn into a hub for media and entertainment.
