Onir feels indie films are not getting due attention

Film-maker reveals a local Indian channel has given these films the late night slot.

NEW DEHLI: National-award winning film-maker Onir says Indian TV channel Doordarshan’s (DD) decision to screen independent movies in the late night slot will not help indie films in getting the attention they need.

The film-maker, who participated in the Save Indie Cinema campaign along with several other film-makers, also pointed out that the Central Board of Film Certification (CBFC) adds to their woes by giving A-certificates to their films.

“Films with an A-certificate get the 11pm slot on DD, when people usually go to sleep after a long day at work. Viewership reduces as they miss many good films,” said 44-year-old.

“Moreover, showing scripts to the censor board for the certification is like presenting proposals. We literally try hard to convince them to give U-certificates.”

Onir said another major reason for independent films not getting screens and audiences, is due to the highly priced tickets at multiplexes.



“Since docu-dramas come under the category of non-commercial films, multiplexes give us morning slots when only a few people come ... just because it doesn’t have Bollywood biggies! Also, who would like to shell out Rs300 for a docu-drama or so called non-commercial film,” said Onir.

On the occasion of the centenary celebrations of Indian cinema, contemporary film-makers should be promoted alongside the work of luminaries of the filmdom, he said.

“Now that the Indian cinema has completed its 100 years, we are celebrating or showcasing the work done in the past by legendary film-makers; we should also highlight the works by contemporary film-makers,” he said. “The government needs to do something about [indie] films. We are creative people; they can’t restrict or control us. We need support,” he added.

Published in The Express Tribune, May 6^th, 2013.                      

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