MAIL BAG
Differing parameters?
The article "Unequal Competition" (June 22nd) by Ziya Us Salam while covering a gamut of opinions across the film industry on National Awards, also raises questions about the parameters employed in selection process of awards. There is no doubt that National Awards of late have become a bone of contention between the jury and cine industry blaming each other over the best awards announced every year. It’d be better if the film industry and the jury coordinate in future to dispel such misconceptions so that the awards bestowed are free from controversies.
Dr. S.A.Khader
Kurnool.
Mainstream films like “Lage Raho Munnabai” and “Paruthiveeran” bagging a good number of awards proves that commercial success need not be a hindering factor for getting national award as long the films have good screenplay, natural acting, good emoting scenes and a credible story.
P. Esakki Muthu,
Mumbai
The article was extremely disappointing. It seems to have been written purely from a Bollywood point of view. None of the opinions voiced in the piece belonged to any filmmaker from south. A Majority of the popular films made in the country are made in the four languages of the south, and yet, your correspondent has clearly ignored the fact that mainstream cinema is an integral part of regional cinema as well. But today, the mainstream regional cinema stands completely ignored by the national media including Doordarshan. Today Bollywood’s domination of the media has become so complete that even a socially conscious newspapers seem to have fallen into its glittery trap. I would appreciate it if you do not publish such one-sided contributions.
B. Mani
Pune.
Belated recognition
The article on Soumitro Chatterjee on winning the prestigious national award for his performance in the Bengali film, ‘Podokkhep’ (“No personal feelings”, June 22) by Rana Siddiqui made for a touching read. Bengali film industry, once a pioneer in film making, had lost faith in the national awards for the last couple of decades. In those years some of the brilliant works somehow missed the most coveted nation-wide recognition. Unfortunately Mr. Chatterjee was not an exception. It is unfortunate for us that we have recognised his contributions too late.
Subhayu Saha,
Khagra
Non-judgmental
There’s an over-abundant rhetoric in reviews concerning the publishing phenomenon called Chetan Bhagat. And so I read Mita Kapur’s article “People’s Writer” (June 22) with grave apprehension. But the article was redeeming. Sans judgments and intelligent quips regarding his writing capabilities, the article talks plainly of his works and future plans. Had he merely blossomed on account of the ingenuity of publishers, he would have folded up soon and not gone on to add to the tally of books he wrote and the fans he amassed as a result. If there is place for an innumerable variety of humans in the world, there surely is place for writers and readers of varied forms. Let’s leave each to his own. I am glad that I finally was given to read an un-autopsied account of Chetan Bhagat, the “People’s Writer”.
Anita Kainthla
Via Email
Remove the stigma
The article pertaining to mental health (“Seeking answers”, June 22) had highlighted the need for proper planning and funding towards handling mental health. Mental health is the state of mind of an individual. This could affect the person during any age. As such, mental illness is feared by many people and, unfortunately, still carries a stigma. Because of this, many people hesitate to get help for fear of being looked down upon. The need of the hour is understanding mental illness and laying a roadmap for recovery to normal state by all sections of the people. Mental health needs greater care than physical well being.
Dr. S.S.Venkata Subramanian
Via Email
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