Filmmakers unhappy over govt's negligence of Assam film industry

Panaji, Nov 26 (UNI) Stating that the Assam film industry was dying, filmmakers from Assam today came out against the state government for not doing anything for the revival of the industry in the state.

''The film industry in Assam is dying and if not reviewed at this juncture, the state is going to lose its film culture," filmmaker M Maniram, whose film Mon Jai is part of the Indian Panorama in the International Film Festival 2008 said.

In Assam there was no way of getting back the revenue for the films due to the lack of good cinema halls. ''Unless a filmmaker gets back the revenue, there is no way that he would make another film,'' Maniram told UNI. The government should have to come up for reviving the theatres, he added.

Sharing his views, producer Dipankar Dutta said a total of 140 cinema halls were shut down in a short period and the situation was grave. Stating that it was a great setback to the industry, he said ''When there are no viewers, how would we get back the money. If one does not get the money invested, he will loss interest in making another film.'' The Assam government should give subsidies for building and reviving cinema halls, he said.

''While other states like Goa, which is even smaller than Assam, is providing funds for filmmakers and also for building high-class theatres, the Assam government is doing nothing. If a small state like Goa can provide assistance, why not a bigger state like Assam?'' he asked.

''The filmmakers are suffering because of the lack of theatres to show their films. The only solace now is the moving theatres, which are doing a tremendous work,'' Mr Dutta said.

The films from Assam were now getting recognition and the state government should take steps to review the situation, Maniram said.

Even at the IFFI 2008, there were protests against the screening schedule of Maniram's films. The filmmakers had protested the unprofessional scheduling of the film at the festival. However, the issue had been sorted out and the film is being premiered again.

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