FINANCIAL TRANSPARENCY IN THE FILM SECTOR STRESSED

    The Union Minister of Information and Broadcasting, Shri Pramod Mahajan called for the transparency in financing in the film sector. While assuring fullest co-operation of the Government towards the development of the sector, the Minister pointed out that no bank will come forward to help the film sector if there is no financial transparency in the film-making. Shri Mahajan was speaking at a function to mark the inauguration of the Mainstream Cinema Section in the IFFI'99 here today.

    Expressing concern over the excessive portrayal of sex and violence in the films, Shri Mahajan suggested that healthy entertainment should be the aim of film-making. "Films are the cheapest source of entertainment, but they should not aim at cheap entertainment", Shri Mahajan said. He, however, added that he does not believe in excessive censor boards. It is for the film industry to evolve some guidelines for themselves to make healthy cinema, Shri Mahajan said.

    Talking about the distinction between art and commercial cinema, the Minister pointed out that this distinction is superficial and should not be there. All films need art and art films should also have commercial angle, Shri Mahajan said.

Present on the occasion were Shri G. Hanumantha Rao, President of Film Federation of India and Shri Karan Johar, Director of the inaugural film "Kuch Kuch Hota Hai", apart from senior officials and delegates.