Shyam Benegal – Cinema focuses on entertainment, later education

Eminent filmmaker Shyam Benegal says when you make a film, the process is entertainment first followed by information and education.

The director said unlike a classroom, you need to hold the audience’s attention using entertainment.

“When you’re communicating, people have to respond to what you’ve communicated. That depends on three factors- the information you’re going to provide; whether its something they are going to retain by way of education and third is whether you’re being entertained.

“When you make a film which people pay money to see, obviously the theme becomes entertainment first then information and education. The process is you start with entertainment. Unlike a classroom, where often information and education come before entertainment,” Benegal told reporters.

He was speaking at the inauguration of the 6th National Science Film Festival and Competition. Benegal is charing the jury of the festival.

The film festival is organised by Vigyan Prasar, Ministry of Science and Technology, Government of India, in collaboration with National Council of Science Museums, Ministry of Culture, Government of India.

Environmentalist and filmmaker, Mike Pandey was the chief guest at the function and stressed on the need of education through cinema.

“There is need for more value based education… Films are the best way to carry the information to the remotest area in the shortest possible time in various languages. It is a shame that even after so many years of independence, 67 percent of India still remains without information and education. Films are the most powerful tools of communication,” he said.

Shama Zaidi, Senior Writer & Art Director was also present at the event.

The primary objective of the event is to create awareness in science and to promote scientific temper through science films. 45 films have been shortlisted for the competition, out of which one movie will get the National Beaver Awards of approximately 7.2 lakhs.

The film festival will conclude on February 13 at Nehru Science Centre.

Inputs by PTI