Panaji, Renowned Lyricist and Central Board of Film Certification (CBFC) Chairperson Prasoon Joshi on Sunday said that success in filmmaking should be by design, not by the vagaries of chance.
Speaking at the closing ceremony of International Film Festival of India (IFFI), he said, “I feel films should be magic but filmmaking should not be magic. I think success should be by design and not by chance. The chance we attach to filmmaking should reduce because we have got many brilliant minds in this country raring to go and make great films.”
Known widely for his soulful and evocative lyrics in films, unique TV ads and socially relevant stories, the Padma Shri awardee and winner of multiple other national awards, exhorted young and budding filmmakers to begin cherishing and celebrating the state of confusion.
“Young minds should start celebrating the state of confusion. Confusion is the most fertile state and the most discomforting, but the best ideas have their origin in confusion,” he said.
cautioning aspiring filmmakers, he said there was no shortcut to great cinema and filmmakers should never think they would arrive somewhere by shortcut.
Joshi dedicated Indian Film Personality of the Year Award for 2021 given to him to his hometown.
“I come from a small town Almora in Uttarakhand. It is very hard for someone coming from a small town to get exposure to the world of cinema. I dedicate this award to the mountains of Uttarakhand where I drew my inspiration from,” he said.
The celebrated lyricist spoke of the need for diversity being given a platform, in order for it to find reflection in cinema.
“I am very hopeful about the future of Indian cinema because the diversity we have in this country is amazing. But, if the diversity doesn’t get a platform, it will not be reflected in our cinema. It will only reflect when all these voices from various parts of our country start telling their stories,” he said.
Joshi called upon the audience to identify with and cultivate abundant concern for the struggles of our own nation.
“Where will felt truths come from if you don’t relate to your own county’s struggles? We don’t want the truth of potted plants, we want the truth of the banyan tree that has bloomed in our courtyard,” he said.