The Hindu : New Delhi News : Community-relevant films to be aired on Doordarshan

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Thursday, Feb 17, 2005

New Delhi

New Delhi

Community-relevant films to be aired on Doordarshan

By Lakshmi B.Ghosh

NEW DELHI, FEB. 16. Paving the way for real India to finally find space on the broadcast medium, a new agreement between Prasar Bharati and the Public Service Broadcasting Trust (PSBT) promises to break new grounds by slotting two hours of free air time on AIR and Doordarshan for programmes on public service.

Coming as it does after a long-standing demand, the initiative is an attempt to reach out to the masses with a new voice of community based programming. While the first slot of films will go on air in another two weeks, the programming on radio is likely to begin in April.

"We are looking at films that may not have any commercial market and cannot be seen by people in general but are engaging in content. The idea is to screen films that are not glamorous in look but succeed in telling a simple truth in a powerful manner," pointed out documentary film maker and PSBT managing trustee, Rajiv Mehrotra.

While television will be an important medium, it is radio that the PSBT seems to be more excited about. "Radio has always be the less glamorous cousin of television. But with the medium globally making a huge comeback, we believe that radio can contribute hugely to the democratisation process that we are a looking at. Also, since radio does not have the kind of overtly visible scrutiny that television is under, we believe it will be the better voice of expression for the communities we are looking at," Mr. Mehrotra said.

While pointing out that the idea it to create a small space that will open up the door for learning, experimenting and breaking new grounds, the PSBT points out that the television screenings will see not just Indian but also some international productions if relevant to the community.

With the free slot being a common demand from the side of the Trust and filmmakers who have had to do without a proper public format to screen their film, the decision to provide free air time is being seen as a major one.

With things still being at an early stage, the PSBT is now busy deciding on how to go about the selection process of the films that will be screened. With entries to the National Awards seeing an encouraging rise, PSBT officials say they are expecting more entries than can be accommodated.

"The problem is private broadcasters are not interested in airing public service programmes. And since we have finally got the slot, we would like to show quality films that are community based will help people from even the remote places access to the burning issues and concerns of their own community."

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