Mumbai (PTI): Understanding the importance and uniqueness of Indian script, improving the craft of screenplay writing and formation of a union to protect writers' rights were the highlights of the deliberations of the two day Screenwriters conference began from Saturday here.

The screenwriting conference dedicated to late Vijay Tendulkar and his work was organised by the Film writers association.

Over 400 practicing and aspiring professionals of all disciplines in film making came together to discuss issues related to their craft and profession.

Prominent personalities who participated in the first day deliberations were noted actor filmmaker Kamalhassan, writer-director Abbas Tyrewala, Amol Palekar, Dr Jabbar Patel, Govind Nihalani and writer director Rajkumar Hirani.

Kamalhassan spoke on the need to understand the uniqueness of Indian screenplays because India had its own story telling tradition.

Abhijat Joshi, co-writer of "Lage Raho Munnabhai" spoke strongly against importing western structures of story telling.

The other speakers doweled on the need of addressing the importance of the craft of screenplay and creating awareness about it. They felt that self education and training was the need of the hour. The issue of setting up a union to protect the writers rights was also mooted.

Another highlight of the day was deliberations on the need to retain television as writers medium.

"Television is no longer a writer's medium as it used to be. Writers too succumb to the pressures of the prevailing system," they said.

"Munnabhai MBBS" and "Lage Raho Munnabhai" were given as reference points to explain how a popular screenplay can be weaved if serious attention is paid to nuances of story and characters.

Kamal Hassan said that he will organise a similar conference for south Indian film screen writers in March next year.

Amol Palekar, Govind Nihalani, Jabbar Patel spoke about their experiences of working with Vijay Tendulkar.

It was a significant event not just for screenwriters but also for filmmakers, esepcially directors and producers, since the film writers association seeks to strengthen the creative and professional collaboration between writers and filmmakers by identifying and discussing important aspects of these relationships in a constructive manner.

Anjum Rajabali,convenor of the conference said that the last couple of years have seen a steady rise in the quality of Indian scripts, with a large infusion of fresh talent into the field that takes screenwriting very seriously.

"Every year, we see a number of films that are courageously exploring new themes, "he said.

He said screenwriting quality still continues to be a cause of concern to directors and producers and screenwriters themselves are concerned about it.