“Films shouldn't just entertain”

Photo: Jamil Mahmud

Nandita Das, the award-winning Indian film and theatre actor, is best recognised for her performances in “Fire” (1996), “Earth” (1998), “Bawandar” (2000) and “Aamaar Bhuvan” (2002). She has been honoured with the Chevalier of the Ordre des Arts et des Lettres by the Government of France.
Das is in Dhaka for the first time to attend the 'Hay Festival 2012' (kicking off tomorrow). She also performed, along with her husband Subodh Maskara, in a play “Between the Lines” last night at the Radisson Blu Water Garden Hotel (organised by Excalibur Entertainment and Jatrik). The Daily Star caught up with the actress.
Das started off by saying that the sole purpose of cinema cannot be entertainment. Her career affirms her conviction. All of the films she has done carry social messages. Moreover, she is a keen follower of film literature and wants to see “quality films with moving stories that have been narrated nicely.”
“The kind of films I have done so far belong to that category -- carrying strong messages rather that only entertaining the audiences. I'm not saying that entertainment is not important but it sounds frivolous when people say that films are only for entertainment,” said Das.
As a social activist she tries to raise awareness on issues involving women and children. There is a global campaign called 'One Billion Rising' (www.onebillionrising.org) which speaks up against gender violence. At the Hay Festival, a panel will speak on this issue. She said, “I and Catherine Masud will talk about our respective cinematic works at the Hay that will also touch upon issues regarding women. I will talk about my film 'Firaaq'.”
Films from this region have little impact on the global race and Das knows it well. But she does not feel that actors and filmmaker should only be concerned with attending and winning at big festivals.
“When we make a film, our prime concern is not attending big festivals. It is not about winning big awards either. In fact I don't particularly appreciate people making comments like 'this or that film has the possibility to go to Cannes or Oscars.' I think making films should be about passion, about working with honesty. If it achieves major recognition, then excellent. There's a lot of satisfaction that comes from making an honest, quality film,” said Das who saw her debut as a filmmaker in 2008 with “Firaaq” that won a number of international awards.
Das also talked about “low budget” and “mainstream” films. She said that films made in Hollywood and Bollywood get more publicity than “low budget” films made in other parts of India. This reduces the possibility of remarkable regional films reaching out to the masses, said Das who has acted in films made in ten languages.
Das hoped that a regional cultural exchange, in particular focus on films, could be a bold step towards competing in the global race.