Current historicals are couched in fictionalised jingoism: Amitabh Bachchan
Kolkata (PTI): Legendary actor Amitabh Bachchan, while tracing the history of Indian cinema, on Thursday described the current brand of period films as "couched in fictionalised jingoism".
Bachchan, in his speech at the 28th Kolkata International Film Festival which he declared open, pointed out that the Indian film industry has always propagated courage and managed to keep an egalitarian spirit alive.
"Since early times there have been many changes in cinema content...from mythological films and socialist cinema to the advent of the angry young man...to the current brand of historicals, couched in fictionalised jingoism, along with moral policing," the octogenarian superstar of Indian cinema said.
He added, "The range has kept audiences reflecting on the politics and social concerns" of the times.
The actor also pointed out that even now "questions are being raised on civil liberties and freedom" by Indian cinema.
The superstar also spoke of legendary filmmaker Satyajit Ray, with whom he and his wife had shared a close relationship, and pointed out that his 1989 movie 'Ganashatru' (enemy of the people) was perhaps an indication of how Ray may have reacted to the current times.
The movie 'Ganashatru' highlights the struggle between religious superstition and medieval prejudices in a doctor's fight against an epidemic.
Bachchan also thanked the 'City of Joy' for giving him his first job and for giving his wife Jaya her first film 'Mahanagar' (The Big City, 1963) directed by Satyajit Ray. The actor's first job was at Kolkata-based Bird & Co., a former British-owned firm.
"I salute you all for the artistic temperament that embraces the essence of plurality, that is what makes Bengal so special," he said.
Quoting Rabindranath Tagore, he said Gurudev had penned lines that yearned for a new tomorrow.
Speaking on the evolving audience, he said, "Today's viewers are exposed to international content. They have many options. This throws new challenges to our entertainment industry. Let us discover more of that. Let us find new summits to conquer."
Bachchan also paid tributes to Bengali film doyens Mrinal Sen and Ritwik Ghatak and recalled how their movies touched upon social realities after Independence.
"Ritwik Ghatak's birth centenary is in 2025. His films dealt with the ruthless social realities after partition of the country," he said.
Filmmaker Mahesh Bhat, in his address, read out a poem of Tagore underscoring India's inclusiveness amid diversity.
"Story-tellers' work entails bringing together polarised hearts. Mamata Ji has done that by organising such a festival," he said.
Veteran Bollywood actor and TMC MP Shatrughan Sinha said KIFF has brought film festivals to reach of general public.
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Man arrested with Rs 2.54-crore heroin in Mumbai
Mumbai (PTI): Police have arrested a man and seized over 500 grams of heroin worth Rs 2.54 crore in the illicit market from him in Mumbai, officials said on Friday.
The police's Anti-Narcotics Cell (ANC) made the drug seizure in Santacruz in the western suburbs. The operation was conducted by the Kandivali unit of the ANC on Thursday as part of a special crackdown against drug trafficking in the area, they said.
Acting on specific inputs, an ANC team conducted a raid in Santacruz (East) and intercepted a man. During a search, the team recovered 508 grams of high-grade heroin from his possession, an official said.
The seized contraband, a highly addictive, opioid drug derived from morphine, is estimated to be worth Rs 2.54 crore in the international market, he informed.
Following the seizure, a case was registered against the man under relevant sections of the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (NDPS) Act, 1985, and he was formally placed under arrest in the early hours of Friday.
The police are currently investigating the source of the drug and trying to identify the intended recipients of the consignment, he said.
