IFFI 2019’s Panorama (Feature) Jury Head Priyadarshan: “Out Of 314 Films I Saw, Only 20 Were Outright Brilliant”

Veteran filmmaker Priyadarshan, who heads the jury for Feature Films of Indian Panorama section in the 50th International Film Festival Of India (IFFI) is not happy with what he has seen in Goa this year.

“My jury and I saw 314 films. Out of these only 20 were outright brilliant. The others ranged from mediocre to downright unimpressive. So yes, I would say I am not pleased with the content,” said Priyadarshan.

He has an explanation for the falling aesthetic quality of our cinema. “Nowadays anyone can become a filmmaker. Anyone who has access to a camera can shoot a film. In our times, when I started as a filmmaker, it was a very big thing to get behind the camera. One had to work hard to earn that privilege. One had to train for years before being considered fit to be a director,” he pointed out.

Priyan feels the lack of preparedness is taking its toll on the quality of Indian films.