Animation is the future of cinema

Future of Film marketing, future of music industry and the challenges of developing Animation / Gaming industry in India, Day 3 of FICCI Frames 2010 saw expert panels discussing the future.

On one such panel, comprising personalities like filmmaker Yash Chopra, actress Vidya Balan, theatre person Sanjana Kapoor, music composers Vishal Dadlani and Shekhar Ravjiani; the topic of discussion was ‘Entertaining India in the next decade’. Unfortunately, Kamal Haasan and Resul Pookutty, who were also to join the panel, had to give FICCI Frames 2010 a miss.

Though the panel was a diverse one, there was a common point voiced from across the board. All agreed that the audience’ acceptance to newer ideas has given rise to experimentation with filmmaking techniques and stories which will continue motivating directors and producers to chose diverse subjects and take entertainment to the next level.

Vidya Balan initiated the discussion by throwing light on some important points. She said, “India is a diverse nation and our cinema in the future will reflect the same diversity in filmmaking too. Indian audience’ has matured and is now accepting films like Dev.D. This acceptance will only strengthen the conviction of the new age directors,” noted Vidya.

Talking about technological advancements, Vidya said, “Animation movies have a great market in India. We have seen that with the recent ‘Avatar’. For now, the animation we see in India is mostly imported; I see animation and 3D films becoming a big source of entertainment in the future.”

Yash Chopra, who is also the FICCI chairman, added to Vidya’s thoughts. He said, “Our industry today is full of young boys with brilliant ideas. Audience is accepting newer subjects and 3D and digital is the way to go in the future,” Chopra said further adding, “The medium might change though – from theatre, TV screens, mobile devices and so on, but what will win is ‘Content’. If the content is good, your film will work.”

Also touching upon the ever increasing piracy, Yash Chopra said, “When a person makes a movie, he wants his movie’s worth. But our movies, our content is available for free due to pirates. Filmmakers are losing out on their legitimate money. This is something the film fraternity, government of India and internet companies should come together and fight against.”

Seconding the opinion, Vidya said, “Indian audience goes to the theatres for the cinematic experience. With more and more 3D films being made in the future, piracy will come under control. People won’t like to see a 3D movie at home and miss out on the visual effect they can enjoy in a theatre,” Vidya observed.

The discussion then shifted from the future of films to the future of theatre in the next decade with celebrated theatre artist Sanjana Kapoor taking the lead. Sanjana said, “The thirst and need of the audience and of artist’s to see and perform live will keep theatre alive. With the ever booming technological environment, theatre will change too,” said Sanjana highlighting a very interesting aspect, “With the help of technology, in the future you might see theatre floors made touch sensitive that can play sound, change light and effect other such changes as the artist performs on stage.”

But all is not rosy for theatre. Sanjana pointed out, “Just like more screens in a multiplex has provided for exhibiting space for small budget films, theatre needs space too. Right now theatre is simply surviving, but to thrive, we need more space. Government should come forward and intervene,” Sanjana signed off.

Concluding the discussion, Yash Chopra summed up that with innovative story ideas and technological advancement Indian cinema is not far away from making a major breakthrough in Hollywood and other western markets.

- Indian Journalist.