The almost-complete exclusion of Bollywood from the National Awards and the selection of Dabangg as a "wholesome entertainer" have miffed some Bollywood film-makers, but jury head J.P Dutta has stood his ground.
"Why are we looking at Indian cinema as Bollywood and regional cinema? There's just one cinema in the country, Indian cinema. It's a shame that a lot of filmmakers in Mumbai equate Bollywood with Indian cinema. They need to be more accommodating and broadminded," he asserted.
Dutta lashed out at movies and filmmakers who seem to miss the point of the "real"India India
Dutta was spellbound by the movies submitted this year. "I was amazed at how much quality-conscious cinema I got to see this year for the National Awards. The films that have won awards are truly outstanding. Some of them were so moving, they made me cry," he told.
He blames television channels over-hyping the Bollywood-centric National Awards coverage.
"The television channels were only harping on the Hindi films. What about the winners in other languages? Those movies don’t get coverage because they are not made in Hindi. I I don't think the spoken language should be given so much importance in our films," he told.
"Why are we looking at Indian cinema as Bollywood and regional cinema? There's just one cinema in the country, Indian cinema. It's a shame that a lot of filmmakers in Mumbai equate Bollywood with Indian cinema. They need to be more accommodating and broadminded," he asserted.
Dutta lashed out at movies and filmmakers who seem to miss the point of the "real"
Dutta was spellbound by the movies submitted this year. "I was amazed at how much quality-conscious cinema I got to see this year for the National Awards. The films that have won awards are truly outstanding. Some of them were so moving, they made me cry," he told.
He blames television channels over-hyping the Bollywood-centric National Awards coverage.
"The television channels were only harping on the Hindi films. What about the winners in other languages? Those movies don’t get coverage because they are not made in Hindi. I I don't think the spoken language should be given so much importance in our films," he told.
Many questioned the selection of Dabangg for wholesome entertainment. Defending the choice, Dutta told, "I think 'Dabangg' is the perfect choice for the wholesome entertainment award. It propagates family values. It shows the alcoholic father sacrificing his life when he feels he's coming in the way of his daughter's life. And it shows step-brothers uniting as one force to protect the family."
Dutta was also criticized for fumbling with the titles while announcing the winners, Dutta told, “Yes, some titles were tongue-twisters. I am not denying that. I wasn't familiar with the pronunciation of some of the languages. I was chosen to chair the jury not for my linguistic versatility but knowledge of cinema."
He maintained that Bollywood should not be synonymous with Indian cinema. "It was a pleasure to see cinema from all over the country making such an impact. It's about time we stopped looking at Bollywood as the fulcrum of Indian cinema. There's so much quality cinema which is made all around the country. This year's National Awards are proof of it."
Dutta was also criticized for fumbling with the titles while announcing the winners, Dutta told, “Yes, some titles were tongue-twisters. I am not denying that. I wasn't familiar with the pronunciation of some of the languages. I was chosen to chair the jury not for my linguistic versatility but knowledge of cinema."
He maintained that Bollywood should not be synonymous with Indian cinema. "It was a pleasure to see cinema from all over the country making such an impact. It's about time we stopped looking at Bollywood as the fulcrum of Indian cinema. There's so much quality cinema which is made all around the country. This year's National Awards are proof of it."
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