Book on Malayalam director released
SHILLONG: ‘Face to Face – A cinema of Adoor Gopalakrishnan’, a biography by film critic and documentary filmmaker Parthajit Baruah, was released by Patricia Mukhim, Editor of The Shillong Times, on Tuesday at the Shillong Press Club.
The book takes the readers to the realm of ‘intellectual filmmaking’ started by the renowned Malayalam director who broke away from the quintessential song and dance movies portrayed and made famous by Bollywood.
The writer highlighted the works of Gopalakrishnan who played a major role in showcasing social concerns and social interpretations in his movies. As most filmmakers hardly take the instrument of filmmaking to tell the real story of the society in India. Speaking as the Chief Guest on the occasion, Mukhim said, “Adoor Gopalakrishnan once said that cinema for him is like a spiritual meditation. Filmmaking takes a lot of thought and sensitivity.”
“Real India is the one seen in his movies and not the ones seen in Bollywood where people live in mansions and where actors get typecast,” she added.
Asserting that regional filmmakers are not being given their due, Mukhim said, “Regional filmmakers should approach higher authorities as they should be on a par with commercial filmmakers as far as national awards are concerned. Non-Hindi, non-Bollywood movies should not be boxed as ‘regional films’.”
Referring to the book on Gopalakrishnan, Mukhim said, “The book is a must read as it speaks of filmmaking and a filmmaker of repute.”
Baruah, who made the acclaimed documentary,’ Laxmi Orang: Rising from the Grave’ and ‘The Dhemaji Tragedy’ that had fetched him multiple awards, was all praise for Gopalakrishnan who made thought-provoking cinemas and revolutionised Malayalam cinema.
“It takes him 5-6 years to make a film as he dwells on socially and politically relevant stories. Beginning his filmmaking career in 1972, Gopalakrishnan has till date made 12 films. It is different from the ones made in Bollywood. He is an intellectual filmmaker who makes meaningful cinema,” he said.
