A sweet revenge for Dharm director

A sweet revenge for Dharm director
Tuesday, October 30, 2007 13:26 IST
By Santa Banta News Network
"Eklavya" is out of the Indian Panorama section of the International Film Festival of India (IFFI) next month, but director Bhavna Talwar's "Dharm" is in.

For Bhavna, who challenged in court the nomination of the Vidhu Vinod Chopra multistarrer "Eklavya" as India's entry to the Oscars, this is a moment of sweet vindication.

"After all that happened, I feel absolute joy because my film will be screened at IFFI and people are going to watch it. It will travel to all sorts of festivals and countries. A lot more people are going to see the film, which is a filmmaker's ultimate objective," said an excited Bhavna.

The 38th IFFI kicks off in Goa on Nov 23, and her "Dharm" made it to the final list from 160 films.

It's a vindication of sorts for Bhavna, who took on the big and mighty of Bollywood by petitioning the Bombay High Court.

"I have not dropped the case. In the next hearing, FFI (Film Federation of India) is expected to provide a proper selection process. That's my ultimate aim. However, I have let 'Eklavya' proceed to the Oscars," Bhavna told.

"I think the sort of films that are regularly being selected for the Panorama section over the years have been serious, good films. So, the fact that my film is there gives me a boost in terms of my career as a director - as people will take my work and me seriously," she added.

Set against the backdrop of the holy city of Varanasi, "Dharm" is a film about the misinterpretation of religious beliefs. Veteran actor Pankaj Kapur plays the protagonist in the gritty drama, which was premiered at the 60th Cannes International Film Festival and will now participate in all national and international film festivals as the government's official entry.

"Dharm" got a good response at Cannes, but the director laments that good films are not getting recognition in their own country.

"Foreigners identify with our films but they don't take mainstream cinema seriously. But even in that they are opening up as there were films like 'Lage Raho Munna Bhai' and 'Guru' in the same section (Tous Les Cinemas du Mondeand) where my film was shown.

"Other than that, art house films like Rituparno Ghosh's 'Dosar' and the Tamil film 'Veyil' were screened. So, it was an eclectic mix of films. The thing is that when people from other countries can find our films, why can't we find them ourselves."

Asked about her future plans, she said: "I am working on a couple of scripts. I am developing a story which Pankaj Kapur has written. It talks about a man's loneliness in a big city."
Rajkummar Rao's Award Streak: 9 Wins in Under Six Months for a Standout Year in Film!

In less than six months, Rajkummar Rao has cemented his position as one of the most celebrated actors of

Tuesday, April 01, 2025
Tanya Maniktala reveals her most 'emotionally intense' scene from Amazon MX Player's Loot Kaand!

Amazon MX Player, Amazon’s free streaming service, takes audiences on a rollercoaster ride with its latest

Tuesday, April 01, 2025
JioHotstar and Padma Vibhushan Shri - Amitabh Bachchan Unite to Bring the Sacred Splendor of Ram Navami to Millions through a special livestream!

JioHotstar continues to revolutionize India’s live streaming experience by making it more inclusive and

Tuesday, April 01, 2025
Asim Riaz, Rajat Dalal, Rubina Dilaik and Abhishek Malhan gear up for the ultimate fitness showdown in Amazon MX Player's Battleground!

The battlefield is ready, and the warriors have arrived! After the surprise reveal of Shikhar Dhawan as

Tuesday, April 01, 2025
Sorab Bedi's Fitness Mantra 'I Want a Body Like Hrithik Roshan Sir'!

Television heartthrob Sorab Bedi, who first captivated audiences with his remarkable debut in Chand Jalne

Tuesday, April 01, 2025
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT