Life, Ultimate Inspiration For Cinema
Features
Prominent Kannada film director, Girish Kasaravalli (left) during an interview with NSoJ Post
By Aryan Katiyar
Do you think movies are just about entertainment? Think again. Today’s cinema has the power to inspire, challenge, and redefine how we see the world, offering more than just a two-hour time shift. In an era in which films can be a reflection of the deepest questions of the humankind, the role of films has evolved from a mere entertainment to a powerful medium of expression. Girish Kasaravalli, a prominent film director in Indian film history spoke to NSoJ post during a recent literature festival in Bangalore.
The 14-time national-award winner said although there was a relationship between literature and cinema, it is not always essential. Despite his own films being based on Kannada literary works, he questioned the common belief that cinema must be rooted in literature. Kasaravalli emphasized that while literature could serve as a source of inspiration, it should not limit the creative potential of cinema. He emphasized that literature was only one of many potential resources and that life itself served as the ultimate inspiration for cinema.
Asked about the progressive themes evident in his work, including his critical exploration of governance, religion, and belief systems, he stressed the role of art in challenging established societal norms and highlighted the importance of examining religious beliefs critically, especially within the Indian context where religion holds a significant influence. According to him, art, whether in the form of literature or cinema, should prompt readers/viewers to rethink their perceptions of the world. He called for critical thinking regardless of its societal acceptance.
Asked what the purpose of cinema was, whether it should be rooted in art or entertainment – Girish Kasaravalli said that art itself was inherently entertaining and emphasized the need to redefine the concept of entertainment. Instead of offering escapism, cinema should aim to enlighten its audience by engaging with meaningful and thought-provoking content, he added. This enlightened perspective is fundamental in redefining what constitutes entertainment in the cinematic context.
The renowned filmmaker is clear that finding what enlightens us is more important compared to considering something just as mere entertainment.
