Indian cinema is not Bollywood: Aribam Syam Sharma

Expressing his concern about the lack of importance given to regional films, eminent Manipuri filmmaker, Aribam Syam Sharma says the focus should not be on Bollywood movie as they don't represent Indian cinema.
Sharma, who is best known for his films "Lamja Parshuram", "Imagi Ningthem" and "The Chosen One", is the head of jury for feature films in the Indian Panorama section at the ongoing IFFI.
"Indian cinema is not only Bollywood or films with feel-good story line. We have films dealing with real- life in different regions, different cultures of our country. Such films need to be seen by the rest of the country. Diversity is the beauty of Indian culture," Sharma said.

The filmmaker's fellow jury member, actress-director Bijaya Jena said the concerned authorities should help region films and help filmmakers screen their movies at government- owned auditoriums.
"These films should be shown in different parts of the country in the auditoriums owned by government, without entertainment tax, so that the cost of ticket will be less. It will motivate the common man to experience something different from the mainstream cinema," Bijaya said.