Hailing from Mangalore, Shyam Benegal is no stranger to the culture and ways of life in Kerala. Ask about Kerala and he breaks into an easy smile. “This place and food are not alien to me. Our people use a lot of coconut in our food, says the renowned director. Benegal speaks to Onmanorama about cinema and related issues.
National anthem in theaters
There is no need to make the playing of national anthem in theaters a controversy. I live in Mumbai and there, singing the national anthem in theaters is a regular practice. As soon as it is played, people get up as a mark of reverence. It has become a habit of the people there.
Even before India got independence, we used to sing it at Mehboob School in Secunderabad. We used to stand in neat rows until the whole song was sung. If we could show reverence to the song even before we got independence, I do not know why we cannot do it now.
The film festival
The audience in Kerala is very different and the people here are so passionate about films. All kinds of films are accepted here and such passion for films can perhaps be seen only in Calcutta.
For the past two to three years, I have not been seeing Malayalam films much. I have seen a lot of films by Adoor because his films are screened in most venues. I am not well versed with new-generation films because I do not get a chance to see them much. Even in Mumbai, new generation Malayalam films are not screened. The restriction while watching regional films is that if the subtitles are not effective, the charm of the film is lost. Writing effective subtitles is also an art.
New directors
New-generation film makers have a lot of opportunities. During our times, it was very different. People are no more attracted to the theaters and You Tube has become the favorite medium for watching films.
The media and language are all changing according to changing preferences. The concept of time and space is being revamped and therefore the experiences of the new generation are completely different from us. Perhaps this is due to the growth of technicalities involved in film making.
I do not have any advice for new film makers because cinema is evolving fast, what advice can I possible give? Your environment, literature, experiences, sights and sounds all influence films as much as they make an impact on you.
The issue of mass exodus
This is one of the major crises that the world is facing and central and west Asia are having to bear the brunt of human exodus. This is in fact a very unfortunate situation as thousands leave their homes to become refugees. The world needs to come together to solve the problem. India is a good example.
During partition, we accommodated lakhs of refugees from East Pakistan, which later became Bangladesh. However, Europe is not like that and Europeans are not generally accommodative to non-Europeans. From what is happening with refugees, we know for sure that discrimination based on color is rather rampant. The whole world needs to think about this because refugees are also humans.
About Adoor
Adoor has been making films for more than 50 years. If you ask me, he is one of the best directors in India and each of his films are outstanding. Even though the total number of films he has directed is very less, his films have been maintaining high standards and character.
The controversy at Pune film institute
The students who learn at film institutes are not kids and therefore their opinion need to be heard and respected. Gajendra Chauhan, the central government nominee who is heading the institute, has been mostly active in serials. However, the subjects that are taught at the institute are different. Students have demanded that the one who is heading the institute need to be qualified to do so. It is not right to respond to such demands by jailing the protesters.
I have no personal grudge against Chauhan. Perhaps he could be able to run the institute well and that is what he is doing, as per what I have heard. However, the independence of students who suspect his intentions have to be respected.
