Himachali Cinema In Dumps
Rajiv K Phull ( cover story )
Himachali cinema is in dumps even as there have been individual efforts to make films in Himachali language by certain directors in this field. However, availability of finances is the biggest hurdle as producers are not coming forward until now to put their money in Himachali films. As a result, film makers are left with no option but to put in their own resources to realise their dreams. However, Himachali film makers have created a niche at national and international film festivals where several of them have won awards. Films of Sanjeev Rattan, Vivek Mohan, Ajay Saklani, Susheel Mehta, Dev Kanya Thakur, Siddharth Chauhan have won national and international accolades. Ajay Saklani’s Himachali film Saanjh was first Himachali film to be released on big screen in this hilly state and other parts of the country. However, the lack of audience for regional Himachali films is hindering the progress of Himachali cinema. Lack of government’s patronage to this sector is also disappointing film makers but they feel that Himachali films will also be seen in cinema halls after a decade or so on the pattern of other regional films in other states of the country.
Film Festivals In Himachal
Two big film festivals are organised every year in Shimla and Dharamshala. These festivals are providing platform to independent filmmakers from the state as well as from other regional films along with world cinema. This can be a milestone for Himachali Cinema’s future.
Himachali Filmmakers Hopeful
Himachal This Week talked to various Himachali filmmakers to know their viewpoints on following points:
* How has been your journey in Himachali cinema?
* What are positives in this field?
* What have been the negatives in regional film?
* What hopes do you have in future?
He is perhaps the first filmmaker from Himachal, who not only made a documentary ‘Malana- In Search Of’ but also received National Award for that in 1999. Due to a lack of cinematic culture in this hill state, he faced problems but finally made his way to produce a good cinema without any compromises.
* I was passionate in writing but never knew that it would lead me to filmmaking. After writing jingles and advertisements for agencies, my liking developed for filmmaking. I started as an assistant director with Pankaj Parashar, but then I realised that it’s better to be an independent filmmaker and then came ‘Malana’, which is a critically acclaimed film.
* Making a film is like a baby as when a baby is born, you feel happy about it. In my journey, this was the only positive thing.
* It was difficult to pursue my dreams in this field as you have to struggle to finances.
* If you step out of Himachal, you get to know that Himachali cinema is nowhere. It is still in its nascent stage in Himachal and upcoming artists should show more aptitude than attitude.
-Vivek Mohan, Shimla
Hailing from Mandi district, producer director Ajay Saklani has been credited with screening his Himachali film Saanjh in cinema halls not only in Himachal but in other parts of the country also. Having screened at various national and international festivals, the film also won two global accolades. He has now decided to screen the films across Himachal, especially in rural areas, free of cost with a view to create audience for Himachali cinema.
* I did theatre during my college days and later concerted in cinema mostly behind the camera
* Positives are that almost all actors in film Saanjh are Himachalis, those in front of the camera and behind the camera.
* Negatives are that people in this field tried to scuttle my project as one of the theatre groups asked its artists not to appear for auditions for film Saanjh. All these activities will in no way promote Himachali cinema. Filmmakers have to arrange finances on their own to realise their projects.
* I am coming up with my second film in Himachali language and Hindi also. However, government has not framed policies to encourage this sector.
-Ajay Saklani, Hamirpur
Siddharth, an Independent filmmaker, has to his credit films like ‘Peace is Nowhere’, ‘Boys don’t Wear Nailpolish’ and ‘Papa’. His films have been awarded at various film festivals for their innovative content and artful storytelling.
* I studied Computer Applications and did MBA from HPU. After realising my dream to be a director, I founded Secret Corridor Pictures in 2012 with the aim of working with the local talent in my home town. Then my journey began towards cinema.
* Only my skills were my positives in this field as people don’t want to help a filmmaker in Himachal.
* There are still less resources for a filmmaker and actors
* This is a beginning of cinematic era in Himachal that will flourish in coming years. I personally want to create movies based on Himachali culture and its people.
-Siddharth Chauhan, Shimla
Dr. Dev Kanya Thakur is a freelance writer and flimmaker based in Shimla.
* Film making happened to me coincidently. I love classic cinema, thirst to know more about classic and world cinema took me to Film and Television Institute of India, Pune. ‘No Woman’s Land’ was my first independent documentary which has received huge applauds in various international film festivals due to its unique subject and cinematic treatment. My second independent film was short film ‘Laal Hota Drakht’.
* Positive, I can say that my film raised the voices of Tribal women at national and international platform.
* Negative, I think that filmmakers face financial challenges to make their films.
* We don’t have audience for Himachali cinema in commercial and non commercial cinema. Youngsters in other states buy tickets to see films .
-Dev Kanya Thakur, Shimla
With winning best film awards in two international film festivals for his first short film ‘Machis Hai Kya?’, Susheel Mehta had created a new path for upcoming directors too. He caught attention of film critics and audience in India for his effort in short film making.
* My journey towards cinema is not quite long. I started with corporate shoots, video editing and ad films. In 2009, I realised that I can do more in film making. Though, I was not in mainstream theatre, I did plays during my school days.
* My positives were only my skills that I knew I could do directing, cinematography and editing.
* It was difficult to start a venture like film making in Himachal where people often ask you why are you opting for this field.
* It has created a cinematic environment as many filmmakers are coming in this field. People are becoming aware and Himachali cinema is sure to shine in future.
-Susheel Mehta, Solan
Dharamshala based Sanjeev Rattan is national award winner producer director who has progressed from theatre to Himachali cinema and mainstream Bollywood films also. His Himachali films ‘Dile ch vasya koi’ and Panchakki have won national film awards also. His latest Himachali film ‘Mane De Phere’ has been screened at various national and international film festivals.
* Theatre movement earlier prevalent in certain parts has now been primarily restricted to Shimla. Some persons tried to promote theatre but where do artists stand now. Theatre provided me the base that helped me in cinema. As there was no livelihood option in this field in Himachal, my passion took me to pursue it in other places.
* One grow as a human being in cinema field as he has to interact and discuss various subjects with people across the society.
* Main problem is of finance and equipments in Himachal that is proving to be a big bottleneck in promotion of Himachali cinema.
* The government must provide patronage to Himachali cinema to promote it in a big way. In addition, there should be efforts to create people’s interest to attract them to cinema halls to watch Himachali films.
-Sanjeev Rattan, Dharamshala
Hillwood For Himachali Cinema
It remains to be seen how people of Himachal appreciate Himachal’s first film Saanjh released on big screen. People would have given preference to their own culture given the background, music and picturisation of the film that has won accolades globally. The cultural aspect feels ignored amidst state’s development if reaction of people associated with the film on social media is any indication. Divya Himachal had started the trend of Himachali films through Phulmu Ranjhu about a decade ago and another film was made on another novel Lajo. Films explored cultural aspect but it led to a situation in which film companies played havoc with language and dressing style in the name of competition. Film Saanjh can prove to be a mirror of our cultural existence if such experiments get support. Spectators must go to cinema halls if regional films are made on culture, traditions and background. A person has to be passionate to make such films and releasing them in cinema halls. Divya Himachal conferred Himachal Excellence Award on the maker of Saanjh film as it is our duty to provide creative atmosphere in the state. Ironically, art field is proving to be a personal show as government’s policies have no provision to provide patronage to creative works. If films like Saanjh are made entertainment tax free or assistance is extended to make such films, then we can established Hillwood in Himachal also. Himachal’s picturesque location became famous because of cine tourism. Tourism sector will indirectly a tremendous boost if viewers get to see state’s locations in different TV serials. A Film and TV institute can do the work which can’t be achieved after opening more than one hundred colleges. Heritage buildings in Garli-Pragpur are inviting Film City institute but the government is unable to explore this potential. The rating of an artist has not improved and people are equally responsible for not giving importance to read establish writers or promote folk singers. Society’s help promote writers and artists in states like Maharashtra, Gujarat, West Bengal, Bihar and southern states where theatre strengthened and people accepted regional films. Ironically, we can’t create Himachali language which would be like the one used in film Saanjh. Many factors link different parts of the state that can help in evolving Himachali language provided politicking is not done on the issue. Artists are putting in their efforts and it has been done again by film Saanjh.
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