Wildlife film-maker Mike Pandey is showing his Green Oscar winning documentary, The Last Migration – Wild Elephant Capture in Sarguja, at the Centenary Film Festival today. He talks about movies and their magic.
Indian cinema completes 100 years. Your thoughts.
India has emerged as one of the most vibrant film industries in the world. Even during recession, it did well.
What got us global attention?
Great determination and creativity. Filmmakers such as Guru Dutt, Bimal Roy and Satyajit Ray inspired people with their beautiful storytelling.
India has done well in regional cinema and documentaries…
No matter how many laws are passed, a shift happens only when people change their thinking. Cinema educates people. My documentary on whales, Shores of Silence - Whale Sharks in India, has helped protect whales.
Who are you inspired by in Indian cinema?
I have been playing with the camera since I was 7. A lot of movies of Ghatak and Ray inspired me. They were gentle stories that talked about things people could relate to.
What’s the road ahead?
We need to make movies that are universal and thought-provoking. It is heartening to see films such as 3 Idiots and Kahaani, where the story, not stars, dominate. The one aspect we need to consider is how to censor our content . In item songs, where 50 men are shown fondling girls, a certain section of society may take the message that women enjoy this.
What’s the road ahead?
We need to make movies that are universal and thought-provoking. It is heartening to see films such as 3 Idiots and Kahaani, where the story, not stars, dominate. The one aspect we need to consider is how to censor our content . In item songs, where 50 men are shown fondling girls, a certain section of society may take the message that women enjoy this.