MYSURU: Noted actor and theatre person Arundhati Nag said on Sunday that the Union government has to be more responsible and “attentive” towards the Central Board of Film Certification (CBFC).
During an interaction before her valedictory address at the Bahuroopi National Theatre Festival here, she said those who have resigned from CBFC are “not just simple people”. They have “invested” their lifetime in art and cinema without any benefit from it, she added. “I stand by them”, she said and contended that the decision of Film Certification Appellate Tribunal to clear the movie ‘Messenger of God’ is an “insult” to the members of the CBFC.
She was one among 12 members who have resigned from CBFC citing interference by Ministry of Information and Broadcasting over the controversial movie.
Referring to the en masse resignation, she said it shows that the government has not been attentive. Chairperson and members should not be insulted, she said, but refused to comment on ‘Messenger of God’.
On a suggestion to strengthen the CBFC, Nag said the chairperson and members of the board should not be politically appointed. “Let us keep the art clean”, she said. “We can’t be under the influence of the patron”, she said.
She did not react to the statement of Union Minister Arun Jaitley that the funds of CBFC were returned because they were not utilised.
“I cannot comment on it because I am not aware of that statement,” she said.
On her husband, she said Shankar Nag had dedicated himself to art. Shankar nag and Nasuraddin Shah were the only two artistes who returned to theatre though they got name and fame in cinema. Although many artistes like Paresh Rawal act in dramas, they are commercial plays, she said.
Nag said industrialists should come forward to take up theatre activities at district levels with a clear passion for art.
“There intention should be very clear. Hence I did not give Rangashankara auditorium for a fashion show, marriage ceremony, etc. Even I refused to hold a party at Rangashankara after my daughter’s marriage when someone suggested it,” she said.
“At the same time, I did not change the rent of Rangashankar from `2,500 though it completed a decade. I didn’t take funds from the government to avoid obligation. While constructing theatres, the government or corporate companies should consult experts. Fortunately, theatre in Karnataka was blessed with many donors like Sudha Murthy and Kiran Mazumdar Shah. I do not hesitate to raise voice against them if they do harm to the society,” she said.
Clockwise from top: Chintan Vikas and troupe singing Shakespeare sonnets during the valedictory of the Bahuroopi theatre festival in Mysuru on Sunday; Actor Arundhati Nag addressing the audience; Tatkal Bengaluru Troupe artistes staging ‘Shakespeare Manege Banda’ directed by Nataraj Honnavalli | S Manjunath/ Udayshankar S