Films Division offering spurned

<div class="section1"><div class="Normal">KOLKATA: It was the perfect antidote. The screening of <span style="" font-style:="" italic="">Kandari</span>, a film based on the real life story of a Muslim man’s extraordinary efforts to preserve centuries-old Hindu terracotta temples in Midnapore district, by Doordarshan Kendra Kolkata while Gujarat was burning.<br />But that was not to be.Because DD Kolkata refused to telecast it despite repeated requests by the Films Division, responsible for the making of <span style="" font-style:="" italic="">Kandari</span>. The reason? Such films did not attract sponsors.<br />Films Division director and maker of Kandari K.G. Das said that since the film portrayed communal harmony in real life, Doordarshan had been urged to telecast it.<br />DD, however, refused to budge till the FD offered to give up its right on 50 per cent of the revenue collection from the screening. <br />The information and broadcasting ministry and Prasar Bharati have an agreement to split the earnings.<br />Biswanath Das, director DD Kolkata, without going into the details leading to its refusal, just said that DD did not have a proper slot for such films. “We are trying to accommodate Films Division productions in our schedule,� he added.<br />Till two years ago, DD used to screen films made by the Films Division periodically. FD had requested the telecast of both <span style="" font-style:="" italic="">Kandari</span> and <span style="" font-style:="" italic="">Iman</span>.<br />The latter, a film by Amar Bhattacharya, traced the relationships between individuals of the two communities.<br />“The films are relevant in the current scenario but were refused screening due to redtapism,� claimed Das.<br />Kandari portrays how Md Yasin Pathan, a Muslim villager, fights religious orthodoxy and maintains communal harmony. Pathan was awarded the President’s Kabir medal for his efforts at preserving culture and communal harmony.</div> </div>