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World cinema

KEEN EYE Ketan Mehta

After almost three decades in the film industry, filmmaker Ketan Mehta understands patience like none other. So if you ask him about the impending release of his film “Rang Rasiya” based on the 19th century painter Raja Ravi Varma, he let s out a short laugh. Is he disillusioned or is genuinely amused? “After the multiplex-producers deadlock ends,” is all he says, grimly. Hmm. Deadlock’s over but no news on the Indian release of the film that’s already been screened at The Times BFI London Film Festival.

However, the filmmaker is excited about India opening up to world cinema. “Cinema is the most global language. I feel there’s an exciting churn in Indian cinema right now with lots of global influence. It’s about introducing Indian audiences to world cinema they’ve never been exposed to. Secondly, seminars on filmmakers and filmmaking will help create awareness,” he says of making world cinema popular through theatres and television.

Mehta picks his favourite films for UTV World Movies’ “50 Movies To See Before You Die”, with his most loved directors Krzysztof Kieslowski and Majid Majidi. “I think European cinema should be shown to Indian audiences. Also, Iranian films are very sharp in focus and discuss human ironies. That’s what I love the best,” says the director who is scripting a historical film on the life of Rani Laxmibai of Jhansi, and a sci-fi thriller too.

Ketan Mehta’s choice includes “Three Color Red”; “Three Color Blue”; “The White Balloon”; and “Song of Sparrows”. The last three films will be screened at 8.30 p.m. on 14th, 21st and 28th June respectively.

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