V K Prakash, who has worked on Malayalam, Kannada, Tamil, Marathi, Telugu and Hindi films, besides music videos and commercials, was a jury member for Kannada Popular Entertainment Cinema Competition at the 11th BIFFes that concluded recently.
His first film Puranadhivasam (2000) received national film award for Best Feature Film in Malayalam. He won Kerala State Film Award for Best Director, Kerala State Film Award for Best Debut Director and Kerala State Award for Best Story for the film.
Prakash’s film Nirnayakam won the National Film Award for Best Film on Other Social Issues in 2016. In an interaction with Metrolife, he shared his experiences on the 11th BIFFes and more.
Your experience at the 11th BIFFes?
It was a great experience. I had the opportunity of watching some of the outstanding international and Indian films. The festival was decently organised and the hospitality was awesome. All screens are in one place which makes the festival a great attraction.
How do you rate BIFFes as against other film festivals in India?
Undoubtedly, the BIFFes is the top-rated film festival in India. Since it is India’s last film festival in a calendar year, you have the best films for the screening. Selection of the film is really good. There were quality interactions and workshop on a wide range of issues involving the filmmaking.
Thoughts on Kannada films in the popular entertainment category...
Most of these films were big budget films. They followed a non-linear narrative. Background music was too loud which affected the pleasant watching experience. Though there was a lot of masala, most of them dealt with realistic issues. Long duration was the biggest weakness. Commercial filmmakers in Sandalwood should focus more on duration, realistic issues with elements of entertainment.
How do you analyse Kannada film industry?
I have been watching Kannada films for the last several decades. Many of these are classics in the real sense of the term. Girish Kasaravalli, G V Iyer, B V Karanth and Puttanna Kanagal are legends. They shaped the initial years of Sandalwood, strengthened it and showed the way ahead. They heralded a new movement in the Indian cinema. Over the years, technically, mass entertainment movies have grow to a new height. However, there is a lot of focus on films only to build images. Directors should focus more on the story.
How do you see marketing strategy and the penetration level of Kannada and Malayalam films in the two states?
Sandalwood and Mollywood follow strong marketing strategies using the online medium. Karnataka relies heavily on theatre rending system, while we don’t have it in Kerala. There is definitely scope for market expansion in both the states. Subtitles of both languages should be released at both states and a distribution system should be worked out.
About remakes and dubbing...
I am against remake and dubbing culture. Since these are not originals, the audience miss that genuine feel. Even, filmmakers as artists will miss something genuine and original.
Few words on contemporary Malayalam cinema...
Largely, Malayalam cinema is dealing with realistic and natural issues. There are a lot of changes in technical issues. Performances, stories and visualisations have undergone a change. Hence, Malayalam films are doing well even without popular stars.