Big budgets have driven experimentation out of Hindi cinema: Palekar

PANAJI - Noted actor-director Amol Palekar feels big budgets have driven sensitivity and experimentation from mainstream Hindi cinema.

Addressing a press conference on the sidelines of the 41st International Film Festival of India (IFFI), Palekar, whose Marathi film “Dhoosar” was premiered here Saturday, said regional cinema has contributed nicely and strongly towards the palette of Indian cinema.

When Hindi films are made, one looks at a wider market, the masses. These heap pressures on the minds of the filmmakers. Will it appeal to everyone? Palekar, who has revived regional Marathi cinema in the recent past, said.

And then there are the budgets. I am not saying they are bad, but then no one wants to take risks with such huge budgets. There is only talk of Rs.40 or Rs.50 crore film with a budget of Rs.20 crore for promotion. One is only talking about the commercial side of cinema not the creative side, Palekar said.

The actor of classic comic superhits of the yesteryears like “Golmaal” and “Chhoti si Baat” said that relatively sober-budgeted regional cinema could afford to take risks and experiment because it was not buoyed down by tons of money.

Indian cinema is not only Bollywood. Regional cinema has contributed nicely and strongly into making Indian cinema what it is, said Palekar who has directed critically acclaimed movies like “Anahat”, “Thoda Sa Rumani Ho Jayen” “Daayraa” and “Samantar”.

Palekar said his film “Dhoosar” deals with Alzheimers disease surrounding the relationship of a mother and daughter. The film, according to him has been shot almost entirely in Goa.

–Indo Asian News Service