Women uncut

Background: Her film Towards Joy and Freedom,based on Shantiniketan School received National Award in the year 1993 and Bal Gandharva won the National Award in the year 2002.

On women making it big as directors: It is an absolute welcome move. The attitude of people is gradually changing and it should have changed long back. Although the discrimination does exists. A woman who desires to direct a film,have to struggle a lot to make a mark in the Hindi film industry,which is dominated by men. I do feel that our women directors should look beyond the gender circumference as they feel very safe and confident dealing with women-related issues. With an exception of a few,the portrayal of male characters by woman director is very sketchy. I do hope that in the coming future the directorial scene sees more of women.

On the changing face of Marathi cinema: A lot of young and talented people like Umesh Kulkarni and Sachin Kulkarni have come up with some very interesting stories. It is a kind of renaissance in the Marathi film industry. The cinematic expression and the sensitivity towards the subject,is amazing.

Currently working on: After five years of research,have recently finished a book titled – Geeta Dutt: The Skylark.

Would like to direct: Manisha Koirala

SUPARNA GANGAL

Background: Life Goes On,a six minute documentary film by her,based on bio-medical waste,was screened at the Vatavaran Film Festival in the year 2005. Green Plaster,a public service announcement was nominated at the same festival,in the year 2007.

On women making it big as directors: I believe,after the success of Om Shanti Om,women who wanted to break the barriers,got the required conviction. Even the mindsets of the producers changed,and they are willing to invest money. Viewers are not concerned whether a man or a woman directs a particular film. A good film is going to be a hit,irrespective of the gender of its director. Of course a woman and a man will deal differently with the same subject,for the very reason that they are made different.

On the changing face of Marathi cinema: It has changed a lot over the years. There are some very good movies being made; which are subject-wise and technically very strong. But I still feel that things are not easy,especially if you are a first-timer into direction.

Currently working on: A series of environment-based films on issues concerning Pune.

Would like to direct: Paresh Rawal and Vikram Gokhale

SHUKLA DAS

Background: Celebration of Life filmed on seven patients in the age of 17-85,suffering from cancer,how they see life and death,Molly a story of spastic girl. Aalap,a film on Pt Ravi Shankar,Classical Portrait – based on the Amjad Ali Khan gharana,won Golden Prague Award. Touch won Silver Bell award,The Gift of Love,a movie based on Mother Teresa won Hoso Bunka Award

On women making it big as directors: It is great that women are getting into direction and are making meaningful cinema. Generally women are sensitive and are more into emotion,thus their way of dealing with a subject is different. For instance Ghajini was a hard-hitting movie with a lot of action. Similarly,Nandita Das made Firaaq,which dealt with a more severe subject – terrorism,in a different manner. For men,movement is action and for women,it is about emotion. Except a few male directors like Satyajit Ray,by and large,men don’t explore emotion.

On the changing face of Marathi cinema: It is going places and finding wider audience,which is a good thing. For a long time,regional cinemas were not able to deliver quality work because of the lack of budget. Gradually it is changing and are also becoming technically strong.

Currently working on: Through The Prism Of Dance,a film on three generations of Sarabhais,A sequel of Molly and also working on two untitled feature films,both based on books.

Would like to direct: Kajol,Sushmita Sen,Tabu and Aamir Khan

CHITRA PALEKAR

Background: Her film Maati Maay won the award Prix Du Jury Graine De Cinephage in the feature films category,at the 30th International Film Festival,Creteil,France,it also won Audience Award,Florence. She has also made a documentary film called Portrait of a Visionary in 2002 and a fiction feature – A Grave-Keeper’s Tale in 2006.

On women making it big as directors: I don’t think that our film industry is gender biased. But yes,till a few years ago,women were not getting into direction in a big way. Gradually things are changing. While women are in forefront in every other field,so it was bound to happen in the Hindi cinema as well. Also,the taste of the moviegoers has changed drastically; old formulas are not working anymore. People are ready to watch different films,which have made things easier for women. Women don’t make films just for entertainment. They want to say something substantial through their films.

On the changing face of Marathi cinema: There are a variety of subjects being explored by the directors these days and it has resulted in some very good work. Marathi cinema is no more confined to tamashas and shoddy stories. But I do feel that the Marathi film industry still needs to grow much more technically. Saying that the regional films suffer from low budget is no excuse. It is always possible to make a good film in limited budget also.

Currently working on: Working on a script on a Alzheimer patient and caregiver

Would like to direct: Nandita Das,Sonali Kulkarni,Seema Biswas,Kay Kay Menon and Mahi Gill