Tell us about your journey to the position you are now-director of festivals?

I graduated from Film and Television Institute of Tamil Nadu, Chennai and tried for a career in Chennai film industry initially. But could not succeeded and to earn for my daily bread joined Government owned television called Doordarshn in the year 1975 and worked in Srinagar, Kashmir till November 1982. Joined Films Division during December 1982 which is  one of the largest and biggest documentary film makers in the world. In 1993 I joined Directorate of Film Festivals organisers of International Film Festival of India ( IFFI). In total had more than 33 years of experience in the Government of India run film medias. Since December 2008 working as consultant / curator / adviser / programmer for nearly six international film festivals happening in India.

We read that Bollywood has made as many films as Hollywood per year.What is the reason for such big production when rarely any films are showed and seen outside India?Wouldn´t it be better if ration between quality and quantity would be more equal?

Certainly not.I have to make small correction to what you said. There is a wrong notion  outside India, that Bollywood is representing India in film production. It is not so. Bollywood which produces Hindi regional movies produces less than 10% total production in India. We in India makee more than 1200 feature films a year and from that only 100 films  were made in Hindi language.There are many regional production units in India and from where I live we made 110 films a year which is even more than the number of films made in Hindi ( Bollywood). In sourthern regision alone we make more than 500 films a year. The regular producers are less than 10%,  and the rest of them are either first time or second time producers.  These first time producers are mostly the real estate owners and industrialists or company owners.They invest their money, enjoy publicity at the beginning then loose or gain some money and after that don´t come back.  This is the present situation in India.

With regard to Independent producers, most of them  are backed by regional governments like Maharashtra, Karnataka etc. Government run National Film Development Corporation is also supports independent film makers. Besides they support the independent film makers by giving subsidies especially for children films.

You are responsible for choosing Indian films for foreign festivals.Are these films somewhat different in quality and production and they have different topics that foreign viewers would understand?

I don´t promote regular commercial films, I promote the film of  indpependent film makers (neorealistic films) whose films are with proper cinematic grammer. I don´t promote fantasy films or comedies. The kind of films I promote are meant for film festivals  & not for commerical release. Most of the films are totally different from regular commercial movies. The presentation will be different to attract foreign film viewers who are keen to know the various cultures of different regions of India.

If we are right you worked also on cultural exchange programmes-what was it´s mission, how did it work and how was it funded?

It´s been done by government of India and I was working as deputy director with Directorate of Film Festivals (DFF). Government of India made number of  agreements with more then 40 countries under cultural exchange programme. For example we send our films to Turkey and on receiprocal basis, we get films from Turkey for festival screenings.  We regulary send Indian films to Germany, France, Czech Republic and show their films in our festivals.  Every year we have minimum 8 film festivals under cultural exchange programmes.We work on mutual understanding with other countries. To initiate the process, DFF stay in touch with  local foreign missions in India and on mutual agreeemnt films are suggested under cultural exchange programmes.  On reciprocal basis film delegates are taken to different countries every year and vice versa.

How is is film funded in India, by state, some film institute or grant by ministry?

Let me explain first about Government funded film schools in India. Government of India supports two main film institutes namely one in Pune called Film & Televison Institute of India (FTII)  and the other one is in Kolkata called Satyajit Ray Film and Tevision Institute (SRFTI). Besides few regional Governments are also running Film Institutes. Plus private run film institutes are plenty in India.

Independent film makers select the project after hearing the script and invest the money. The relationship between the producer and the director goes well till production stage. After that the difference of opinions ( mainly ego clash) stops the promotion of the film.

One of the major production units to promote independent film makers is Government run National Film Development Corporation. NFDC approves the script and partially fund the film production including getting technical equipments on subsidisided rates. But it is very difficult to market these films. Unfortunately major audiences in India are after fantasies and Hollywood blockbusters. Hollywood blockbusters are duped in five different India languages and major chunk of revenues goes to these films..For example Avatar was screened in more then 1300 screens in indis here. However it is the policy of the Government to encourage independent film makers.

 Is there any platform for independent film in India, where are shown the indpependent films of young filmakers?

The problem is market. For exemple the Hindi commercial films have a wider marketing net work where as the regional commercial films have very limited circuit. It is  a bigger problem for  for independent film makers films. They require to reach the public my means of regular intencive promotion, or else it doesnot reach the audience. So the budget of the independent films goes higher and to recover the cost is a problem. These small budgeted so called art house films will find it very difficult to recover the investment. They manage to get the revenue through regional television channels or Government run channels.  Most of these films are screened during film festivals happening in India and abroad.

Most of the independent film makers have their other business to compensate the investment in films like real estate owners, hoteliers, corporates etc. More than 75% of these films are not commercially sucessful.  

It is said that Hollywood is in the crisis, they make sequels and have no fresh ideas.What is the state of Indian film industry now, does the quality level increase or people just want cheap entertainment to forget struggle for survival?

You are right, people want to enjoy 2-3  hours of film.They don´t care about the depth of the story or about characters. They want entertainment. As long as they enjoy the film, it does not matter whether the plot is illlogical or not realistic.They want to escape from everyday problems. It is not only in Hollywood, it is happening throughout the world. You analise any film either it is a film from  India or  America or else where and you will find that films are made basically from only 7 stories.  (1. Overcoming the Monster. 2 Rags to Riches:3. The Quest: 4. Voyage and Return: 5. Comedies ; 6. Tragedies 7. Rebirth ).There are no new ideas,but they boil down to different expression. The film industry is still trying to find good stories.

You are not firstly in Czech Republic, how do you like the atmosphere in Zlín compare to other festivals you have seen?

The people are warm and very well organised ( ofcourse they have more than 55 years of experience under their belt).  Good to see children are enjoying the movies. Very heartning to see parents are coming out with their children to attend different side bars of the festival. Zlin Festival Director has got a good team of professonals and the supporting staff also very cordial. Unlike any other few festivals, Zlin FF programmes are on time and good to see politicians and Government official are not taking much of time on stage to deliver speeches.

My favorite festival is Karlovy Vary  and ambience is simply fantastic. Film selections are also very good. Audience very well understands cinema and they interact sensibly with the film makers. I love Karlovy Vary Film Festival.

This interview was realized at Zlín Film Festival.