Director Tigmanshu Dhulia was here to talk about the second edition of the Delhi International Film Festival. He hoped such fests would revive the parallel film movement. By D Kaushik
We all know about Tigmanshu Dhulia’s close association with the Delhi International Film Festival (DIFF) and that he has contributed majorly in promoting it. If you thought that the filmmaker is devoting his time and concern only to provide a platform to the budding actors and filmmakers, you are partially right. The major reason, revealed the filmmaker, is that he wants to gradually create a parallel film industry in Delhi. The director, who made films like Paan Singh Tomar and Bullett Raja recently, revealed that through such film festivals he wants to encourage others to develop more avenues for practical training of young filmmakers. “As a student of drama we used to attend some film festivals and many a times there were so many questions left unanswered at the end of the festival. They were related to the making of the film, techniques and so on. So what is important with such festivals is that we also promote interactions with the technicians, cameramen, scriptwriter and costume designer, people without whom we cannot imagine a film. Students of filmmaking who are serious about their work will have an opportunity to learn the basics of filmmaking so that when they are actually on field they do not need to go knocking at the doors to learn the basics of filmmaking. I have met many filmmakers in Delhi who would walk up to you and say ‘I make docus’, just talking is not enough, you should know the actual work and you would not know unless you would do it. Pseudo mahaul hai Delhi mein,” commented the filmmaker, who was here for the announcement of the second edition of DIFF to begin from December 21 to 27 at NDMC Convention center, Connaught Place.
Tigmanshu said that it is very disappointing to see several youngsters from Delhi and other parts of North India struggling to get work in Mumbai. “Most of the youngsters who work as spot boys, assistants on the sets are from North India who wander for months to get some work in Mumbai. My point is why do they need to wander in Mumbai to get some work when some are trained from institutes like National School of Drama and have done some good work, too. Delhi should give them an opportunity so that these youngsters can be at home, with friends and family and do the work they want to do. They go to Mumbai, waste months in finding work and then some of them end up doing jobs they don’t even want to do. What’s worst is that they are so disappointed that they think that getting back to their homes in Delhi will be shameful,” said Tigmanshu and added that he has proposed some place in Delhi or Noida where budding filmmakers can stay and do their own work.
“We all are making Hindi films and they can be well made in Delhi, too. There is everything available here. Maharashtra is not a Hindi speaking state so why we need to move to Mumbai to make Hindi filmsIJ” said Tigmanshu.
Second edition of DIFF will open with a Sri lankan film Sri Siddhartha Gautama and the closing film of the festival will be Take Mama from Israel. Gagan Malik, the lead actor from the Sri lankan film, was also present at the event.
He shared his journey with the film and said, “Sri lanka is a Buddhist country and it was very difficult for the producer of this film to make it. He was trying it for over seven years and was not allowed by the authorities since they believe that nobody can be Buddha. So he convinced them by saying that he will be showcasing the story of Prince Siddhartha till his Enlightenment. He chose me after meeting over 300 actors from across the world. He was very particular that the actor who will play Buddha should not drink, smoke in real life. The producer spent a week with me at my home to know more about me and my lifestyle and then I was finally selected. It has been a wonderful experience and the film has received tremendous love and support so far. I hope it will spread the message of peace and love through DIFF.”