Is Good Film Content Losing Out To Controversy?

Is Good Film Content Losing Out To Controversy?

‘Thaw Thursday’—an informative and informal discussion program—went for a filmic twist this time with the topic being ‘Content Vs. Controversy’ in Odia cinema. The event at Bocca Café in Bhubaneswar was attended by veteran filmmaker Gadadhar Putty, renowned producer Akshay Parija, PNV founder Satyabrat Sanu Ratho, social worker Linkan Subudhi, actor Partha Sarathi Ray, veteran cine critic Ashok Palit, and beauty pageant and actress Pupul Bhuyan. Moderated by cine journalist Sameer Ranjan Dash, the session saw a lively debate among the panellists. Here’s what they had to say:

Gadadhar Putty

‘Controversies were always there, but now they are getting viral in the digital era’

Whatever be the content, we never know when it can blow into controversy. Our reaction to the content decides that; it depends on the way we look at something. Controversies were always there, but now they are getting viral in the digital era. I remember MNS (Maharashtra Navinirman Sena) party activists had disrupted the screening of the Ranbir-Konkona starrer ‘Wake-up Sid’ in some cinema halls in Mumbai and Pune. They were objecting to the use of the word ‘Bombay’ instead of ‘Mumbai’ in the film. The controversy died down after the film’s producer and director apologised. As for movie posters, I would say they are always designed to attract attention. But at the same time, they should be professionally good.

Akshay Parija

‘The shortcut method doesn’t work, whereas a sincere and honest job gets appreciation’

Actually, the scope for controversy in Odia films is very small. A production house will always try to promote its films through different media, but creating a controversy just to promote films is not at all desirable. I don’t support these things. I feel a good filmmaker never does that. While 99% of the makers aim to make good cinema, only 1% believe in promoting their work through controversies. The shortcut method doesn’t work, whereas a sincere and honest job gets appreciation. These days, the audience prefer good content more than the stars. This is why big Bollywood stars are failing to deliver hits with poor content. You cannot always take the people for granted.

Linkan Subudhi

‘What’s the point (of gossiping and commenting) if these have no real effect?’

It is good and bad in every field and profession. People these days find it easy to showcase their works on social media platforms and get publicity. Coming to the controversial poster of ‘Mr Kanheya’, I filed a case against it, but it was nothing personal. It was a social thing. Like Akshay Sir said, from now on, the makers will be more careful while making any content. Sometimes this type of action needs to be taken to keep a check. We simply gossip, talk or comment about something. But what’s the point if these have no real effect?

Some people have tagged me and Dutee Chand in the poster of ‘Pyar ka Panchnama’ and asked why we have not raised our voices against it? My answer is that the manner in which the couples are shown in that poster looks very lovable and friendly. As we all say, the girlfriend or wife always holds the key to her partner in her hand. So the ‘Pyar ka Panchnama’ poster is related to this concept and shows nothing offensive.

Partha Sarathi Ray

‘I am concerned about what the content is about and what I am supposed to do’

If you ask me about the recent poster controversy, I would say that the way the designer has depicted the girls is very derogatory. I respect what Linkan has done, but feel that filing a case will promote it more and the makers will get the publicity that they don’t deserve. We should simply boycott these things.

Recently, there was a controversy around Saif Ali Khan, who is playing the role of a Punjabi Sardar in the popular series ‘Sacred Games’. Saif’s character was shown throwing his Kada and this triggered a row. I don’t understand why? There is a disclaimer at the beginning of the show that this is a fictional character and then it’s obvious that it is the character that is doing the act and not the real person. So, how can someone make it a topic of controversy? In the disclaimer, they have mentioned that they don’t intend to hurt any religion. If I am playing a Hindu character in a film and also an evil person who murders, that doesn’t mean all Hindus are like that.

I can’t say about other people, but as an actor, I am always involved in all the aspects of a project I am working on. I am concerned about what the content is about and what I am supposed to do. I am ready to do things that my script demands, otherwise not.

Ashok Palit

‘Controversy should be about how the Odia film industry will grow and not about other stupid things’

In the past 30 years, there have been many vulgar posters, but no one has raised their voice against them. I remember one film named ‘Biswaprakash’, whose poster featured bikini-clad women. The posters were put up across Bhubaneswar, but no one objected then.

(Partha countered: “There is a difference between nudity and vulgarity. I have seen the poster. The women were wearing bikinis on a beach, which is absolutely fine. So, there is nothing to protest about and there was no vulgarity.”)

Recently, all of us reacted when no Odia film was selected for the national awards. In Odisha, discussions on Odia films happen only twice a year. Once during the state awards and the other during the national awards. And the people watch Odia films only on Raja and Durga Puja. The controversy should be about how the Odia film industry will grow and not about stupid things.

Pupul Bhuyan

‘An artist always needs a creative mind, but financial constraints are a big let-down’

It’s sad to see that no actors are available for shoots during election campaigns because they all are busy promoting different political parties. But then I am not complaining against them; it’s all about earning money. As an artist, I know how much I earn from this industry and also the state of other artists. In fact, the leading artists of our industry are into different types of business or politics. An artist always needs a creative mind, but financial constraints are a big let-down in this regard. That’s the reason we are failing to get good content. The filmmakers should audition for content writers as they do for actors. Then only they will get new talents and good content through them.