Indie filmmakers rejoice as Prasar Bharati set to telecast their National Award winning films

Source: Times of India | Akshata Shetty, TNN

Date:  Apr 5, 2013, 12.00 AM IST

We had recently told you about independent filmmakers planning a protest against their National Award winning films not being screened on national television. These filmmakers now have a reason to celebrate. Prasar Bharati has announced that it will telecast National Award winning films as well as independent films that have been part of international film festivals. Filmmaker Onir, who initiated the Save Indie Cinema movement, told TOI that he and others are delighted with the news and they will no longer protest on May 3. Instead on May 2 they will only address the issue of the dearth of theatres to screen their films.

Onir also received a call from Tripurari Sharan, DG, Prasar Bharati, regarding the same. "It's a historical thing. It was two months ago when Sanjay Suri and I met Tripurari with the petition. I am glad that he agreed to telecast the films and documentaries that have won National Awards or been part of major film festivals. It's great that now good Indian cinema will be telecast on DD National. It's great progress. Information and Broadcasting (I&B) minister Manish Tewari and joint secretary Raghvendra Singh played a vital role in making this a success," said Onir.

The slots for these films and documentaries are yet to be decided, but Tripurari revealed that the films will be aired post 10 pm on DD National. "We are now intending to advertise for producers and filmmakers to offer films that fit the slot. We are looking forward to producers who will offer us their films. Films that have been telecast on TV in the past will be paid 15 lakh and the ones that will premiere with Doordarshan will get 25 lakh," said Tripurari. The films will have subtitles when aired on TV.

Read more at http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/bollywood/news-interviews/Indie-filmmakers-rejoice-as-Prasar-Bharati-set-to-telecast-their-National-Award-winning-films/articleshow/19381492.cms