The
Entertainment Society of Goa (ESG), a state-affiliated body, has finally taken note of how often Indian
films have been shot in Goa, often portraying the image of Goa and Goans in bad
light. Touted as a popular tourist destination world over, the image of Goa on
the big screen has at times- Goa feels more than often- has been that of a
haven for drugs, drinks and prostitution.
Upset over the
portrayal of Goa in a recent Hindi film, ‘Malang’, ESG is now working on
formulating guidelines for film makers to curb attempts to malign the image of
Goa.
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The jury is out
though whether to check this, every script of a film maker who wants to shoot
in Goa, has to be scrutinised and cleared.
Drugs available all
over the world, why should Goa only be highlighted- Subhash Faldesai,
Vice-Chairman of ESG
Subhash Faldesai,
Vice-Chairman of ESG, says, “So far, the decision has been taken to have a general
body meeting and we have to formulate the rules. I understand that filmmakers
will not disclose their entire script for they begin shooting, but if the story
is based on or in Goa and the shooting is showcasing police, administration,
EDMs or any other sensitive areas, they will have to give the content of their
shoot. Wrong perception should not be created about Goa by labelling it as a
drug, liquor or prostitution destination. They cannot show that Goa has police
that never act on their duties or drug peddlers openly selling drugs. Drugs are
available all over the world; why should only Goa be highlighted? The rules
will be applicable to all film shoots including Goan films that will have to
follow the same code or they might lose their grants. There is no point in
protesting the release of the film in Goa as it only works as added publicity.
There is no control of the release of the film outside Goa.”
Malang hard on Goa,
but if the subject demands it, ESG cannot object- Swapnil Shetkar
Swapnil Shetkar is
the director of hit Konkani films like ‘Home Sweet Home’ and ‘Questao de
Confusao’. He selects themes that are pertaining to the state and moulds them
into the story of his films. “I watched ‘Malang’ and I felt the filmmakers were
a little hard on Goans. Goa has been portrayed in a bad light with drugs and
alcohol. Unfortunately, these things are there in Goa but every character
cannot be a drug addict or drunkard. It was very harsh on Goans. As a
filmmaker, I think it is good to protect the image of how Goa is showcased. But
if the subject demands it, then ESG cannot object to it.
If films could
influence the audience, then my film ‘Aleesha’ should have controlled mining in
Goa- Rajendra Talak
Filmmaker Rajendra
Talak is a former Vice-Chairman of Entertainment Society of Goa and understands
the importance of censorship. “According to me, one has to first understand
what shooting is. If I don’t allow you to shoot in Goa, you can create the same
scene outside Goa too. ‘Josh’, for example, starring Shah Rukh Khan, Aishwarya
Rai, Chandrachur Singh and Sharad Kapoor, was recreated outside Goa on sets.
There is a Censor Board for this purpose but imposing the rules can also reduce
shootings in Goa. If we want change, we have to create good things in Goa and make
Goa beautiful again. If films could influence the audience, then my film
‘Aleesha’ should have controlled mining in Goa. Instead, mining increased by
100 times,” says Talak.
Film directors don’t
tell the whole scene when shooting in Goa- Newton Dias
Newton Dias, a
casting director based in Panjim, has worked on the Goa casting of various
Bollywood as well as South Indian film shoots. “Usually, the film directors
don’t tell the whole scene when shooting in Goa. They upstage the scenario and
say everything is fiction. Filmmakers should not promote Goa in a bad light,”
says Dias.
Have always been
concerned about how Goa and Goans have been promoted in Hindi cinema- Meenacshi
Martins
Actor
Meenacshi Martins has faced her own share of struggles being a Goan girl acting
in Bollywood in the beginning of her career. “I have always been concerned
about how Goa and Goans have been promoted in Hindi cinema. Filmmakers asked me
if I can wear a bikini and ride a scooter because that is what Goan girls do.
Story writers and directors should be educated about scripts based on Goa. I
feel we should ask for scripts or anything that can be demeaning to our
cultural identity.
