Not true that non-commercial films don't have market: Kiran Rao

Filmmaker Kiran Rao says that there is a market for independent or non-commercial cinemas in India too. She, however, feels that the makers need to put an extra effort to make more such films.

"From the response, we come to know that there is an audience. We just need to take the effort of bringing them such films. When people say that there is no market for these kinds of films, it is wrong," Kiran said here at the 17th Jio MAMI Film Festival that concluded on Thursday.

"When we don't offer new content to them, how can we say that there is no audience? The new generation is exploring different content," she further added.

Kiran, in the past, has backed many non-commercial cinema. She not only directed "Dhobi Ghat" but even supported Anand Gandhi's film "Ship of Theseus" which received tremendous critical acclaim.

Hansal Mehta's film, "Aligarh" starring Manoj Bajpayee and Rajkummar Rao was the opening film at the MAMI festival and Kiran was amazed to see the variety of films shown during the event.

"The variety is huge and the quality of films has been excellent throughout. These are not the usual films. Some of them are quite difficult films while some are artistic films and some are quite entertaining too," she said.