Pics by Applied Art
Daijiworld Media Network - Panaji

Panaji, Nov 29 (IANS): Noted actor-director Amol Palekar feels big budgets have driven sensitivity and experimentation from mainstream Hindi cinema.

Addressing a press conference on the sidelines of the 41st International Film Festival of India (IFFI), Palekar, whose Marathi film "Dhoosar" was premiered here Saturday, said regional cinema has contributed "nicely and strongly" towards the palette of Indian cinema.

Noted Marathi/Bollyood actor Upendra Limaye seen during the press conference at the media centre on the seventh day of the ongoing 41st International Film Festival of India in Panaji on Sunday.

Noted veteran film maker and actor Amol Palekar seen during the press conference at the media centre on the seventh day of the ongoing 41st International Film Festival of India in Panaji on Sunday.

Noted Marathi actor Smitha Tambe seen during the press conference at the media centre on the seventh day of the ongoing 41st International Film Festival of India in Panaji on Sunday.

The cast of Amol Palekar's Marathi film 'Dhoosar' (Blur) seen during the press conference at the media centre on the seventh day of the ongoing 41st International Film Festival of India in Panaji on Sunday.

Noted Marathi actor Amruta Khanvilkar seen at the media centre on the seventh day of the ongoing 41st International Film Festival of India in Panaji on Sunday.

Film maker Tapan Biswas addressing press conferene on his film 'Just Another Love Story' at the media centre on the seventh day of the ongoing 41st International Film Festival of India in Panaji on Sunday.

Noted special effects designer Mohan Srinivas of 'Robot' fame seen at the 'MASTERCLASS' session at the Inox multiplex on the seventh day of the ongoing 41st International Film Festival of India in Panaji on Sunday.

Abhishek Sharma, director of 'Tere Bin Laden' seen at the Inox multiplex courtyard on the seventh day of the ongoing 41st International Film Festival of India in Panaji on Sunday.

Daisy Geli, Director of the London Film Academy and Noted French actress Marian Borgo seen during the Red Carpet welcome at the Inox Multiplex on the seventh day of the ongoing 41st International Film Festival of India in Panaji on Sunday.

Noted film maker Christian Lara seen with actor Mick Von Lock during the Red Carpet welcome at the Inox Multiplex on the seventh day of the ongoing 41st International Film Festival of India in Panaji on Sunday.

Hollywood/Bollywood actor Freida Pinto walks the Red Carpet for the screening of her film 'You Will Meet a Tall Dark Stranger' at the Inox multiplex on the seventh day of the ongoing 41st International Film Festival of India in Panaji on Sunday.

Noted film producer Vidhu Vinod Chopra seen along with song writer Swanand Kirkire during the Red Carpet welcome on the seventh day of the ongoing 41st International Film Festival of India in Panaji on Sunday.

The Taiwanese film delegation walks the Red Carpet at the Old GMC complex on the seventh day of the ongoing 41st International Film Festival of India in Panaji on Sunday.

The 1st International Heritage Jazz Festival at the open auditorium in Kala Academy on the seventh day of the ongoing 41st International Film Festival of India in Panaji on Sunday.

"When Hindi films are made, one looks at a wider market, the masses. These heap pressures on the minds of the filmmakers. Will it appeal to everyone?" Palekar, who has revived regional Marathi cinema in the recent past, said.

"And then there are the budgets. I am not saying they are bad, but then no one wants to take risks with such huge budgets. There is only talk of Rs.40 or Rs.50 crore film with a budget of Rs.20 crore for promotion. One is only talking about the commercial side of cinema not the creative side," Palekar said.

The actor of classic comic superhits of the yesteryears like "Golmaal" and "Chhoti si Baat" said that relatively sober-budgeted regional cinema could afford to take risks and experiment because it was not buoyed down by tons of money.

"Indian cinema is not only Bollywood. Regional cinema has contributed nicely and strongly into making Indian cinema what it is," said Palekar who has directed critically acclaimed movies like "Anahat", "Thoda Sa Rumani Ho Jayen" "Daayraa" and "Samantar".

Palekar said his film "Dhoosar" deals with Alzheimers disease surrounding the relationship of a mother and daughter. The film, according to him has been shot almost entirely in Goa.