New Delhi:
At a time when independent filmsare struggling to find a foothold among big budgetedmultistarrers, a unique initiative by a multiplex chain isensuring that smaller content-driven projects reach theirdesired audience.
Films like Love Wrinkle Free, Harud, The Forest andSupermen of Malegaon have been released as a part of PVRDirector's Rare programme, aimed at bringing award winning andcritically acclaimed films from across the globe to thediscerning audience.
"Films to entertain the niche audience are being made inplenty but very few of these films find distributors becausemost in India are still driven by star, budget and money.Remaining corporate distributors barely choose 5-6 such filmsin a year. So there is a huge gap," Shiladitya Bora, Head ofPVR Directors's Rare, told PTI.
It is this gap that PVR is seeking to bridge by releasingfilms catering to audiences in major cities across India.
"The scale of the release varies from movie to movie.Some independent films are released in 10 to 11 cities whereassome are released only in Delhi and Mumbai," he said.
Recently released movies include Hemant Gaba'sShuttlecock Boys, made on a shoestring budget of 35 lacswith a story that revolves around the lives, successes andfailures of four friends - from lower-middle class backgroundsliving in Delhi - who play badminton every night.
Another much-talked about release has been Harud,directed by actor-turned-director Aamir Bashir. The film, shotentirely in Kashmir, stars award-winning Iranian actor RezaNaji and local actors from the Valley. It had its WorldPremiere at the Toronto International Film Festival in 2010.
"PVR shall begin association with films festivals in andoutside India that primarily show Indian content. This shallbe one of the sources to pick-up the best availablealternative content," said Bora.
Upcoming releases as a part of Director's Rare includesNational award winning film Anhe Ghode Da Daan, Delhi in aDay and Fire in Babylon.
Prashant Nair, director of Delhi in a Day, said, "Myfilm is a comedy with elements of mainstream masala, includingsongs. I had some hitches getting distributors for my filmdespite it not being a typical art house film. Thankfully itis releasing as a part of Director's Rare, which is awonderful programme."
The film, shot entirely in Delhi, is the account of aBritish traveller's experiences while living with an upperclass family in the city.
The first release from Director's Rare was Good Nightand Good Morning in January and the film's director SudhishKamat said that multiplexes releasing independent films shouldscreen them for least two weeks and consider adjusting ticketprices.
"A programme like this is a great thing for independentfilmmakers but most of the publicity is still done by word ofmouth so the films should be screened for two weeks to dojustice to them.
"Also, they should apply a different pricing mechanismfor tickets as they are low budget projects and the audiencemight not like to spend as much as a mainstream big-budgetBollywood film," said Kamat.
Films like Love Wrinkle Free, Harud, The Forest andSupermen of Malegaon have been released as a part of PVRDirector's Rare programme, aimed at bringing award winning andcritically acclaimed films from across the globe to thediscerning audience.
"Films to entertain the niche audience are being made inplenty but very few of these films find distributors becausemost in India are still driven by star, budget and money.Remaining corporate distributors barely choose 5-6 such filmsin a year. So there is a huge gap," Shiladitya Bora, Head ofPVR Directors's Rare, told PTI.
It is this gap that PVR is seeking to bridge by releasingfilms catering to audiences in major cities across India.
"The scale of the release varies from movie to movie.Some independent films are released in 10 to 11 cities whereassome are released only in Delhi and Mumbai," he said.
Recently released movies include Hemant Gaba'sShuttlecock Boys, made on a shoestring budget of 35 lacswith a story that revolves around the lives, successes andfailures of four friends - from lower-middle class backgroundsliving in Delhi - who play badminton every night.
Another much-talked about release has been Harud,directed by actor-turned-director Aamir Bashir. The film, shotentirely in Kashmir, stars award-winning Iranian actor RezaNaji and local actors from the Valley. It had its WorldPremiere at the Toronto International Film Festival in 2010.
"PVR shall begin association with films festivals in andoutside India that primarily show Indian content. This shallbe one of the sources to pick-up the best availablealternative content," said Bora.
Upcoming releases as a part of Director's Rare includesNational award winning film Anhe Ghode Da Daan, Delhi in aDay and Fire in Babylon.
Prashant Nair, director of Delhi in a Day, said, "Myfilm is a comedy with elements of mainstream masala, includingsongs. I had some hitches getting distributors for my filmdespite it not being a typical art house film. Thankfully itis releasing as a part of Director's Rare, which is awonderful programme."
The film, shot entirely in Delhi, is the account of aBritish traveller's experiences while living with an upperclass family in the city.
The first release from Director's Rare was Good Nightand Good Morning in January and the film's director SudhishKamat said that multiplexes releasing independent films shouldscreen them for least two weeks and consider adjusting ticketprices.
"A programme like this is a great thing for independentfilmmakers but most of the publicity is still done by word ofmouth so the films should be screened for two weeks to dojustice to them.
"Also, they should apply a different pricing mechanismfor tickets as they are low budget projects and the audiencemight not like to spend as much as a mainstream big-budgetBollywood film," said Kamat.
