BIFFES 2019: 'Cinema is somewhat a gamble'

The ongoing Bengaluru International Film Festival 2019 is attracting film lovers and celebrities in large number. There are exciting films lined up and the festival is in full swing.

DH caught up with veteran actors Ramesh Bhat, Shivaram and the young heartthrob from Sandalwood, Harshika Poonacha for their views about films, BIFFes and more. Read on to find out what they had to say.

Ramesh Bhat, veteran actor and theatre personality:

On Kannada film industry: Kannada cinema has grown. We used to be given idli vada in paper packets before, now we get offered continental breakfast. It is good. But the question is what kind of audiences are we catering to? Cinema doesn't get the kind of quality audience it used to.

Will Kannada cinema again get to see the kind of movies Anant Nag, Shankar Nag used to make?

The kind of cinema that they and I used to make is no longer considered current and trendy. The sense of humour is there, but we will need to wait and watch.

Message to DH readers: Please come and watch Kannada cinema in theatres. Don't wait for streaming.

Shivaram, veteran actor, director:

On Kannada film industry: I have been in the industry since 1957-58 as a student, as a worker, as an actor, as a director, as a producer. I had made a statement about 30 years ago that cinema is somewhat a gamble. Today, I would say that it is indeed a gamble.

There is a lot of creativity in Kannada cinema like always. Commercial, artistic, documentary, all kinds. But there is a tendency to make only popular cinema in Kannada nowadays. We want young filmmakers to enter the industry with new ideas. I give good marks to Malayalam film industry because they stated true to their culture and filmmaking style.

Message to Deccan Herald readers: I have been contributing photography to Deccan Herald and Prajavani for many years now. Deccan Herald is the kind of paper that makes you sit and read the paper.

Harshika Poonacha, Sandalwood actor

On BIFFes: I personally feel this is the biggest film festival with movies and guests from all over the world. I request you all to visit Bengaluru in these 7 days and make BIFFes a super success.

Message to Deccan Herald readers: Please come in and watch movies at BIFFes. I am sure you will love it.

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