Neville Tuli, head honcho of Osian’s informs us that ‘Osianama,’ a cultural complex that is being built after demolishing the Minerva theatre
Neville Tuli, head honcho of Osian’s informs us that ‘Osianama,’ a cultural complex that is being built after demolishing the Minerva theatre that the organisation bought a couple of years back, is currently top on his list of priorities and he is eager to finish the project at the earliest.
“It’s all good as far as ‘Osianama’ is concerned. We have unveiled the final plans of the building and it is one of the very important things on my mind right now. I want to see it completed fast,” remarked Neville Tuli in New Delhi.
This year’s, Osian’s, like any of the previous festivals, has been both appreciated and criticised. Appreciated for its collection of films, it’s effort in establishing the cinematic culture among the people and criticised by visitors for lack of Bollywood star presence which many felt would have added the much needed glam quotient to the fest.
As far as Neville is concerned he is not bothered by criticism. “First of all, I hate the term ‘Bollywood,’ I don’t believe in it. It’s ‘Indian cinema’; and there is either good Indian cinema or bad Indian cinema. Bollywood is welcome, but it has to be good Bollywood movies and stars of those good films. Our festival has seen many Bollywood films being screened and their stars have attended their screenings,” he says.
Neville adds, “You are saying that people have criticised the festival because of the lack of star power at the event, but if you practically look at Indian audiences, they have rejected Bollywood movies. If Bollywood was so good and their stars so big, we would not have had the disappointing Bollywood box office card month after month for years.”
With the aim of developing the overall cinematic culture in India through Osian’s, Neville elaborates, “This year too we have screened Bollywood films. Good movies by good filmmakers are liked by one and all. India has a lot of talent. Look at the class of regional cinema, Asian and Arab cinema. How can we overlook these magnificent films and focus only on the glamour of Bollywood alone.”
g_prithwish@dnaindia.net
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
)
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
)
)
)
)
)
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}