‘Need for a Films Division Finance Corporation in Meghalaya: CM
Panaji: Inaugurating the North East section of the International Film Festival of India (IFFI) at Goa on Friday, Meghalaya Chief Minister, Dr Mukul Sangma, the chief guest at the function, said he was happy that the people of the eight states of India’s North East had this opportunity to showcase their films to a large audience outside their own states and the region.
“When we were young we learnt about the history and culture of this country largely from films. It is time that people from the rest of India too learn about our rich culture and heritage from our films. This Festival is therefore a unique event,” Dr Sangma said, adding, “our diverse ethnicity is in itself a vast panorama for noted producers and directors to find a rich pool of stories.”
Dr Sangma said whenever people point to the North East and call it backward, he sees it as an opportunity to do something. He said it is high time Bollywood looks at North East as a potential reservoir of stories and settings. He however agreed that the full potential for film making has not yet been tapped.
“The North Eastern states have made their presence felt in Bollywood through reality shows where they have walked away with fabulous prizes. So we are no longer strangers to the world. I would therefore urge upon the Information and Broadcasting ministry and also the Ministry for Art and Culture to invest in the right infrastructure to promote films and the arts,” Dr Sangma stated.
He pointed out to Assam which already has the Assam Films Division Finance Corporation and said it is time to set up a similar body in Meghalaya to assist film makers.
Adil Hussain, film actor from Assam who worked in Life of Pi and Seema Biswas also from Assam who became popular after her role as Phoolan Devi in Bandit Queen were also present among the audience. Noted actor Victor Banerjee also came to greet the delegates from the North Eastern states.
The Mizo film Khawnglung Run a film on love, violence and revenge set against the backdrop of the tribal rivalry ridden Mizoram of 1853, directed by Mapuia Chawngthu was screened for public viewing.
