“Veteran playwright late Vijay Tendulkar was rooted in real India and that made him unique. His screenplays reflect his research and study of human beings and complexities in his era. He explored space where violence and intimate relationships lived,’’ said noted film-maker Mahesh Bhatt.
He was speaking at the inauguration of lecture series of Vijay Tendulkar memorial lecture which was held on Monday at City Pride, Kothrud. The series is part of the ongoing Pune International Film Festival (PIFF).
He added, “Tendulkar is remembered for his distinguished voice. Today’s playwrights and screenplay writers should display the courage to be distinguished. What you have to say and how do you interpret real life that makes you unique. While looking at global cinema, it is essential to be rooted in our own culture. It is time to get India back in Indian films.’’
Talking about his association with Vijay Tendulkar, he said, “The screenplay is backbone of cinema. I consider myself privileged to be exposed to such a stalwart in cinema and theatre. When I discovered his book on a bookshelf along with books of famous writers in a big bookstore abroad, I called him at midnight. He spoke to me in his trademark style. Though I belong to
mainstream cinema, Tendulkar never looked down upon mainstream cinema. He applauded great filmmakers of early 60’s. He would spend his Sundays watching documentaries. He was aware of his ignorance and we need to keep his thirst to look at life through somebody else’s eyes alive.’’
Jabaar Patel, chairman of PIFF, said, “Vijay Tendulkar was a great playwright and wrote major screenplays for me such as Ghashiram Kotwal, Ashi Pakhare Yeti, Sinhasan, Samana and others. He wrote screenplays for Shyam Benegal’s films Nishant and Manthan and Govind Nihalani’s films Ardh Satya and Aakrosh.’’
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