The refusal of the famous filmmaker Tigmanshu Dhulia to become vice president of Uttarakhand Film Development Council is a setback for the attempts to put the State on film making map of the country, said member of the council, Jai Prakash Panwar while interacting with The Pioneer. The State Government had formed a 15-member council with Dhulia and actor Manish Pandey as vice presidents on Friday.
It is learnt that Dhulia refused the offer when he came to know about opposition raised by some filmmakers of state on his appointment. Panwar, who is noted for his digital film making skills, said that refusal of Dhulia and the avoidable politics on his appointment has sent a wrong message about the fledgling industry of state. “Dhuliaji would have connected with the entire film industry of Mumbai with the State and those opposing him are the people who don’t have a base or have any contribution,’’ he quipped.
On the opportunities for the industry in the state, he termed Uttarakhand as a natural studio which has attracted the filmmakers of the country and abroad. Panwar said that a proper plan is needed to be chalked out so that the filmmakers do not need to carry their equipment from Mumbai. “We need to identify the locations and develop desired infrastructural facilities there and then market these places both at national and international level. We also need to provide better air and other connectivity to these places. Apart from this state can become a hub for animation movies and digital editing,’’ he said.
A native of Punnad village in Rudraprayag district, Panwar is a recipient of Ford and Bhim Rao Ambedkar fellowships. He preferred to work in the state and set up his production house named, ‘Channel Mountain’’.
Panwar is said to have produced and directed more than 106 documentaries and television programmes. He is founder and patron of Uttarakhand Film, Television and Radio Association (UFTARA).