With the changing face of cinema in Goa, it
is encouraging to note that the Film Finance Scheme, which was stalled in 2007,
will be restarted shortly. With Konkani films experiencing success at the state
and national level, the industry now hopes the government will rethink over the
clauses and make the scheme more Goa centric. A memorandum was given to the
Vice Chairman of Entertainment Society of Goa, Damodar Naik, with hopes that
the points would be taken into consideration. The industry requires the benefit
of the scheme for producers and directors of Goan origin with minimum 40 per
cent off screen and 80 per cent cast crew and the opportunity to screen their
films at prime time in theatres and auditoriums at a concessional rate.
Swapnil Shetkar, director of ‘Home Sweet
Home’ and ‘Suring’, appreciated Damodar Naik for relaunching the Film Finance
Scheme. “It is very difficult to recover money after releasing a film. People
are watching the films in theatres and there is a demand abroad too. But the
producer has to utilise his resources first to make a film. There are a limited
number of theatres and Goan films find it had to get primetime slots in these
theatres. It is not only enough to make a good film; you have to market the
product in a proper manner,” says Swapnil.
Rajdeep Naik has a strong bond with theatre
and films. Recently seen in the film ‘Home Sweet Home’, Rajdeep wants to see
better prospects in the industry for his colleagues too. “Unless there is a
boost, the film culture in the state will not develop. We have requested for 80
per cent of the artists to be Goan so that if there are character based actors,
they can be brought in from outside; but lead roles should be taken by Goan
artists. Earlier, it was difficult for actors because there were few one take
artistes and retakes would cost the producer, but now everything is digital and
it is easy to delete. With new films like ‘MMS’ and ‘Nachom-ia Kumpasar’, it
shows that good films can be made with a 100 per cent Goan cast and crew,”
explains Rajdeep, who is currently working on Mitesh Gaunkar’s ‘500 Not Not’.
Renowned actress Meenacshi Martins, who
recently wrapped up her shoot for ‘Enemy’, a film by Dinesh Bhonsle, says, “The
government should lend its support to nurture the industry at this initial
stage. Finance should be provided through training and scholarships for young
talent to be trained not just in acting but also technical departments like
lights, sound, editing and other behind-the-scene processes. There are great
Goans who have learnt outside the state and can be brought as resource persons
for future workshops.”
Damodar Naik, Vice Chairman of Entertainment
Society of Goa, being a producer himself, can understand the problems the film
fraternity is going through to come out with good cinema. Though he believes he
is following his official duties by restarting the Goa State Film Festivals
that were stalled for the past eight years and the various state film festivals
for children, it is the stalled Film Finance Scheme that grabbed everyone’s
attention. “There were a few loopholes in the previous non functioning Film
Finance Scheme. I have a special committee with 5-6 members including Pramod
Salgaonkar who will discuss and add amendments to the Scheme which will be
later presented to the Entertainment Society of Goa committee which comprises
ten members. We will also have an open forum for the Goan film industry to give
their views. It will take another 2-3 months for the new Film Finance Scheme,”
he concludes.
