Speaking at a press conference at IFFI, she said that India has got tremendous talent in all areas of film making, which needs to be supplemented with more impetus on providing thought provoking stories, subjects and themes. She added that script forms the real foundation of the film.
Underlining the importance of rigor and rhythm in making of films, which makes viewers’ heart beat not only in the country but throughout the world she said that experiencing day to day life in India and abroad provides her an opportunity and creates a vision to work on films with universal appeal. She said that problems and issues concerning under privileged people at the grassroots would always be the priorities in her films one way or the other.
Eminent writer Sooni Taraporevala, actor Nana Patekar, Shafiq Syed and Dinaz Stafford were also present on the occasion.
In reply to a question Mira Nair informed that her upcoming film is Reluctant Fundamentalist based on Pakistani writer Mohsin Hamid’s story would help her put forth her viewpoint in respect of issues like Islamophobia in the Western world especially in the South Asian perspective. She said that she looks forward to the participation of several Pakistani actors in this film project.
Nair added that she has set up Maisha School of Film Teaching in East Africa where student filmmakers are provided an opportunity to work with the young experienced senior film makers. She also revealed that she is planning to return to India and said that her whole team looks forward to contribute in imparting training to the upcoming filmmakers in the country for making cinema better and rich.
Nana Patekar spoke about making good films. He said that common viewers would always love and respect films with good, rich and value based content.
Dinaz Stafford informed that they have set up Salaam Balak Trust in Mumbai to take forward the cause of slum and street children, who also need to be provided better education and good quality of life.
IFFI 2010 in its Retrospective Section featured a complete retrospective of the works of Nair.
