Media

Subhash Ghai, Rakeysh Omprakash talk about patriotic films in Bollywood

The National Museum of Indian Cinema (NMIC) in Mumbai celebrated India's 75th Independence Day with members of the Hindi film industry including Subhash Ghai, Rakeysh Omprakash Mehra, Jackie Shroff and Divya Dutta among others. After the flag hoisting, a panel discussion was held where guests spoke about patriotic films in Indian cinema over the years.

NMIC is the first film museum in the country that chronicles 100 years of Indian cinema, right from the first motion picture, Raja Harishchandra, to movies of today. After the discussion, films like Karma, Bhaag Milkha Bhaag and Shershaah were screened.

Subhash Ghai, whose film Karma was screened, shared, "The Indian audience has always resonated with patriotic films. Since childhood I have seen so many patriotic films made by Chetan Anand and V Shantaram. I am surprised to know that till date the song Aye Watan Tere Liye from Karma is one of the most popular songs among the masses."

Rakeysh Omprakash Mehra said, "It is a great honour that our film Bhaag Milkha Bhaag was screened here. I feel that the narrative of patriotism has evolved over the years. The narrative of patriotism now is very different from what it would have been 10 years ago or when we got Independence or in 1857. Today, patriotism is not limited to defending the national border, it is also about getting over the exploitation of the poor by the rich, of have-nots by haves and the caste system. As filmmakers, our job is to capture the current scenario, convert it into cinematic language and bring it before the audience."

He further added, "When you are working on a patriotic film, the subject has to touch you as a filmmaker, the writer has to feel the deshbhakti while writing it. Director film banate waqt jitna mehsoos karega utna hi mehsoos audience karegi."

The audio visual medium has been really powerful in inculcating patriotism in today's generation, said Divya Dutta. "It feels great to be a part of cinema that depicts on screen what we read in our textbooks — the trials and tribulations that Indians went through to get freedom," she added.

On the occasion, Ravinder Bhakar (MD, NFDC and CEO, CBFC) said, "This year is special for all Indians, including those staying across the globe, as we commemorate the 75th year of our independence. Cinema is a very powerful medium and has played an important role in putting the country on a global map. I look forward to many more enriching films in the years to come."

Happy to be a part of the I-Day celebrations at the museum, Jackie Shroff said, "This is a very special occasion and it is an honour to be here. Today, we also need to take a moment to remember our martyrs and their family members for all the sacrifices that they made for the country."



Source: Timesofindia.com