Centre snubbing Telugu filmmakers says, Dasari
Hyderabad
Nov. 14: Filmmaker and MP, Mr Dasari Narayana Rao, stirred up a controversy at the inaugural function of the 16th International Children’s Film Festival on Saturday by alleging that the Central government treated Telugu cine personalities as “second grade cinema citizens”.
Addressing the gathering at the Lalita Kala Thoranam in the city, he pointed out that many Telugu filmmakers eligible for Dada Saheb Phalke and Padma awards were overlooked by the Centre. Mr Dasari was cut up at being introduced as a producer and said that he had directed 148 movies and had also got into the Guinness Book of World Records.
“The first movie in this country on children was made by Telugu film industry 61 years ago,” said Mr Dasari.
“We are not lesser than any other industry. Despite that, the Hindi film industry takes away all the limelight.”
He also turned to the information and broadcasting minister, Ms Ambika Soni, who was on the dais, and asked her to understand the problems of the Telugu industry.
Mr Dasari added that many Telugu film producers couldn’t get funding from the Children’s Film Society of India to produce movies as it demanded 15 copies of the bounded script.
Though actor Nandita Das, chairperson of CFSI, tried to clarify, Mr Dasari continued to speak and told her that he was ready to prove his allegations.
“This festival is being organised by the AP government,” he said. “The CFSI should first stop operating from Mumbai and start its office in Hyderabad. Only then can children’s movies be made. The CFSI should start accepting applications for funding on the basis of the synopsis of the movie.”
However, Ms Soni denied the allegations and pointed out that in 2007, Telugu film Amulya was screened at this festival.”
We are not going to create any barriers in this festival as it is meant for children,” she said.
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For the last two decades, there is not even one great film produced and released in Telugu which one can claim of some reasonable standard. Stupid storylines, irrelevant fights, exhibition of their curves and flesh by the 'imported' heroines, crime-centralism, silly and vulgar jokes, etc.,have been the order of the day. Let Mr Dasari tell us how many and which of the recent Telugu films compare well with the old-generation films. In fact, the present day films have criminalised the brains of the youth and have been contributing to more sex orientation among them.
We are talking about quantity, when you refer any record created by Telugu films or film personalities. Let us talk about quality. But again, the politics and movies reflect society and its mindset!!
No doubt, a few decades ago, a good number of Telugu films were made, but, as of now, they are formula films. First, some sentiment, then a revenge theme, then a fight, soon to be followed by a duet and an absurd dance.
Even the earlier films could be liked by those who knew the language. Those who do not know the language can understand neither the goings on nor the sentiments. And the length of the films invariably is lengthy due to the unwanted fight scenes and the absurd dance/song sequences. The films are made with an intention to include at least half a dozen fights and a like number of dance/song sequences. That formula is liked by the natives but not by those elsewhere. If an intelligent editor at the international level is given the task of editing a Telugu film after it is released, the film would last a half hour or at the most an hour from its original 3 hours.
The same is the case with all the South Indian films with the sole exception of some Malayalam films.
The sooner the Telugu film producers and directors know this the better it would be for the Telugu film industry.
There is no dispute about the comments of my friend with regard to quality of films, rather Telugu films. But Hindi films are not in a better shape either. I was only trying to impress upon the powers that be, who just forget that there is another film world down the Vindhyas and who seek better representation at all international forums. No doubt almost all the Hindi films also have the same base.. revenge, sentiment and some crude dance sequences.
Dasari can only make allegations and complaints. He can neither make an A-grade movie nor foster one. Does anyone remember a hit delivered by him? By the way, who cares for his word or work? He should do remarkable work and then he need not ask or beg anyone.
Telugu film industry which is the second largest producer of films in India never got its due in any of the international film festivals held so far. One hardly finds any celebrity from Telugu film world either on the dias or on the jury. Even the IIFA held in other countries gives an impression to the outside world that Indian films means Hindi films.. no other language films get any mention in any of the international forums. We have a producer, a director and a woman director who have entered the Guinness Book of Records... for the highest number of films made, highest number of films directed by a male and a female director, yet no representation to Telugu films at any international forum. And as rightly pointed out by Dasari, who directed 145 films to enter the Guinnes Book, even national awards are scarce to us. Keep it up Dasari garu, you have chosen the right forum to ventilate the anger of the Telugu film world. Hope things will change in future.
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