 Paban Kumar |
The films earned him many national and international awards. A postgraduate in direction and script writing from Kolkata’s Satyajit Ray Film and Television Institute (SRFTI), Paban Kumar speaks to The Tribune in Imphal.
Excerpts:
Q: What has held you back in Manipur after passing out of the prestigious SRFTI?
A: The sense of belonging to my troubled but resourceful state and the urge to highlight its problems, the plight of people living in a prolonged conflict situation have kept me close to my people. The 77-minute long film ‘AFSPA 1858’ is an example of my work on the situation in Manipur before an outside audience. After the film was screened in the Mumbai International Film Festival (MIFF) 2006, many people congratulated me for letting them know about the harsh reality in Manipur.
I also try my best to focus on many positive aspects of Manipur. I have done a film on the historic Kangla Fort in Imphal for IGNOU’s Electronic Media Production Centre. The film was adjudged as the best educational programme under the 14th UGC education video competition.
Q: What are the ills confronting Manipur in particular and the North-East in general?
A: The huge communication gap between the people of the region and the rest of the country. The gap needs to be bridged fast. The situation in Manipur is very complicated. Unfortunately, it is the most confused state in many spheres with a generation that is not sure about itself.
While the communication gap must be narrowed down, we the people from the North-East need to be more assertive in demonstrating our skills, talents and resources before the world so that we are understood better.
Q: Can you think of any solution?
A: It would be difficult for me to pinpoint the solution. But I am sure, it is just a passing phase and better times are ahead. Life can’t go on like this. There is always light at the end of the tunnel. If no one does anything to bail out Manipur from the present trouble, the time itself will save it. Ours is a group of culturally rich people with a long history.
Q: Why are filmmakers not doing enough to focus on Manipur’s woes?
A: I find it strange but the entire North-East has failed in this respect. Apparently, most filmmakers are scared to touch these aspects out of fear of getting caught in the conflict between the state and the anti-state actors. Of course, there is need for proper training and awareness to deal with such sensitive issues in a film.
Significantly, digital film revolution has swept Manipur as in many other states. Unfortunately, while first generation filmmakers from states like Kerala and West Bengal are making best use of low-cost digital technology to make meaningful films that touch upon various aspects of life in a plural society, many new filmmakers in Manipur are apparently exploiting the technology to make commercial short films only. No doubt, commercial films are required as films are also a medium of entertainment. But we need to highlight core issues plaguing Manipur in films more often than not so that people from the rest of the country understand the state better and, in the process, help evolve solutions to the present fluid situation.
Q: Aren’t you too scared to deal with Manipur’s sensitive issues in your films?
A: Of course, I also feel apprehensive sometimes. I am also a human being and the prevailing situation does affect my life and works. While selecting a theme for a film, I get scared as I don’t know how the state and other elements would view and ract to it.
Q: Is the Government of India doing enough for the welfare and restoration of normalcy in Manipur?
A: The Centre’s developmental policies and programmes sound excellent in paper. States receive money for implementing them. But everything apparently goes wrong at the level of implementation, especially in Manipur. There should be strict monitoring of these programmes so that development funds benefit the people at the grassroots. If people are happy and can make a living, most problems will get resolved.
Source: The Tribune, Chandigarh, India.
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