'Short films are fun'

Rendezvous

The most important part of a film festival is the audience which comes in with the interest to watch good films. This is a very healthy atmosphere for cinema of all kinds, especially for those films that do not fall under the strict dictates of the so called norms of ‘commercial cinema’,” says filmmaker Imtiaz Ali, who will be participating as a special guest in the fourth edition of the Brahmaputra Valley Film Festival 2016.

He, however, adds “that I do believe in making films that are popular with the masses”.

The three-day festival, scheduled to be held from July 22 to 24 in Guwahati, Assam, will focus on the films and filmmakers from the northeastern region.

It will have screenings of regional movies, audience interaction sessions, workshops and panel discussions on topics related to films, along with an award ceremony. A short film festival has also been organised among the new age filmmakers from the eight northeastern states and for films based on the region. The director will participate in an interactive session with the audience on July 24.

On being asked about the reach of films from the region, Ali says, “Films from the northeast have been very popular from time to time. Films in a particular language are prone to being popular among the people who speak that language — that is always a factor. Films from the northeast have a distinct flavour and I look forward to them breaking greater grounds, internationally.”

Known for hits like Rockstar, Tamasha and Jab We Met, Ali recently forayed into the short film category with India Tomorrow and took the digital route to promote it.

Sharing his experience, he tells Metrolife, “Short films are fun. They give me immense scope to present a singular feeling or thought. Also, the digital route is liberating. It can give wings to those ideas that do not necessarily require theatrical exhibition.”

The filmmaker, who has always toyed around with the concept of love in his movies, counts director Shyam Benegal’s Junoon among the best romantic films he has ever seen. He, however, adds that he does not know “why I make the films I do”.

While he refuses to divulge anything about his upcoming venture, which reportedly stars actors Shah Rukh Khan and Anushka Sharma, Ali says that one topic which he wants to explore is the “power of common people”.