Indian films take no political stand

Director Bappaditya Bandopadhyay, who has been the executive producer of "Chatrak" that���������s going to Cannes this year, says our National Awards are no benchmark for recognition at the international level
You���������ve been an executive producer of Vimukthi Jayasundara���������s "Chatrak" starring Paoli. With the film going to be screened at the Directors��������� Fortnight section at the Cannes Film Festival this year, how do you think Tollywood is going to benefit from it?
I am told that no other film from India has made it to Cannes this year in the competitive section.But, I have heard that a documentary has been made on Bollywood by some celebrated directors which will be screened at Cannes. One of these directors is Shekhar Kapur. He will be at Cannes. To have a Bengali film at such an august forum is encouraging for all directors in Tollywood. When Renoir made "The River" in Kolkata, it opened up a lot of windows for film-makers in Bengal. I am sure that Vimukthi���������s achievement will do the same now. Vimukthi has a different film language and it���������s important for a Bengali film to be made out of Kolkata that has such a sensibility.
So, what���������s the basic difference between contemporary Bengali cinema and the ones that are being made globally now?
I have watched portions of "Gandu" recently. I think, it���������s very important that such a Bengali film has been made out of Kolkata now. This film has been made with a vision of world cinema. Having been involved with "Chatrak", I must add that we don���������t really lag behind international makers when it comes to the making of a film. Vimukthi actually told me that some of the contemporary Bengali movies that he has watched are amazing. But where Bengali cinema lags behind is in terms of having the courage to take a political stand. We consciously avoid doing so. That���������s the main difference between our and their cinema. We are too compromising for comfort. Our films are styllized but have no political stand. Look at the kind of films that Tareque Masud is doing in Bangladesh. His sheer courage is so admirable.
How important are awards for a film-maker?
The strangest part is that while Vimukthi has such an appreciable filmography, he has never won an award in Sri Lanka. At least, not a National Award. And yet, this man, at 34, has already wowed the audience at Cannes and Venice. Our National Awards are no benchmark for recognition at the international level. This is true for India, Bangladesh and Sri Lanka. In fact, the government should not even National Awards.
When then have you submitted your film to the National Awards? In fact, "Houseful" got the National Award for the Best Female Playback singer last year...
Left to me, I wouldn���������t have submitted my films. But, I am not the sole decision-maker when it comes to sending my film to the Awards. It���������s a wastage of effort. The government should spend money on building the infrastructure and not giving out awards.