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CANNES: Situated at the picturesque seaside shoreline adjacent to the gigantic Palais des Festivals building, the India Pavilion is an essential and crucial corner where the hundreds of Indian film professionals can gather to make their presence felt and also where people from abroad interested in India can converge to cement their business needs in India. The good news is that co-productions and shooting in India is increasing at a rapid space, enhancing India as an impressive, globally attractive source for film activity.
The India Pavilion was inaugurated late morning of the second day of the Cannes film festival by the Minister of State, Ministry of Information and Broadcasting, Rajyavardhan Singh Rathore. The master of ceremonies was the affable film producer, Bobby Bedi. The others on stage were the new Ambassador of India in France, Dr Mohan Kumar, the Joint Secretary (Films), I& B Ministry, K Sanjay Murthy, the new Director of the Directorate of Film Festivals, C Senthil Rajan, and Roshan Baig, Minister of Information and Public Relations, Government of Karnataka and leading producer Ravi Kottakara from Tamil Nadu, who were attending with delegations to impact their regional cinema on the film map of the world. Nandita Das, who has served on two international juries at Cannes, was also on stage.
Speaking at the packed session, Minister Rathore said, “India has already signed co-production agreements with a slew of countries. In the last one year five co-productions have been undertaken with France alone. We need to take these partnerships to the next level now.” He added "The new government at the Centre is certainly more decisive and focused and is constantly working towards taking India to higher levels of growth, which is inclusive.” He strongly advocated the government’s objective of campaigns like 'Make in India' and 'Skill India', with both looking at the film industry as a key component.
The session also saw unveiling of the 46th IFFI, 2015 regulations and 'India Film Guide' by the Minister. The ‘India Film Guide’ is a comprehensive booklet with information on policy initiatives by the government pertaining to film sector, the listing of Indian companies at Cannes Film Market, Indian Films at Cannes and contacts of important people in the business of film making.
Nandita Das spoke eloquently about India’s unique place in terms of diversity of culture and locations in world cinema. She said India was poised now to make international films that were intrinsic to the country but had a universal appeal. She inferred that the outlook was optimistic and that censorship and other factors should pave the way to take India forward.
The representatives from Tamil Nadu and Karnataka made fervent pleas to the government to promote and strengthen regional cinema in Cannes and not let Bollywood (a much smaller segment in terms of number of films made in India) take centre-stage. This point made an impact because none of the Bollywood stars graced the opening or are likely to enhance the importance of what the India Pavilion stands for.
