Distribution system is killing independent cinema: Onir

Oct 27, 2011 IANS

Onir has carved a niche for making unusual small budget films like "My Brother Nikhil" and "I AM", and feels there is a demand for such films. But he blames the distribution system for not letting independent movies reach out to a bigger audience.

"The idea is to reach out. I don?t think the films are as niche as they are made out to be. I think distribution system is killing small and independent cinema. The support system is not provided," Onir told IANS.

"Even if there is a 30 percent collection, keep the film in the theatre because taste for such films develops over time. If you go to Europe, they have a chain of theatres which only show independent cinema. We don?t have anything like that here.

"NFDC (National Film Development Corporation of India) can play an important role in developing theatres all over India which only screen independent cinema," said the filmmaker who is busy with his production venture "Chauranga".

He will wield the megaphone for "Shab" next year.