Meghnath is a well known documentary director and video activist from Chattisgarh. He frequently interferes in social problems through his films. ‘Iron is Hot’, a documentary on the pollution created by sponge iron factories and its impact on the adivasis in Chattisgarh, and ‘Development Flows through the Barrel of Gun’, another documentary on human rights violation are some of his famous works. A close friend of ViBGYOR, Meghnath talks about his films and the 6th ViBGYOR film festival.
What, in your opinion, marks ViBGYOR film festival apart from other film festivals?
ViBGYOR is a brilliant film festival, which gives a platform for all good and activist films, songs. I am very glad to be here for the second time.
As a filmmaker, what exactly is a film?
A film should have an aesthetic skill. It should be for the sake of the society and the people. Films are only for entertainment is a ‘global lie’. It should have a social subject and a political theme.
As an experienced film maker who has travelled across the country, could you tell us about other festivals like ViBGYOR?
There are many film festivals in India like Khorakpur film festival that opens the minds of millions of people to reality. Those festivals deal with films of burning issues like communalism, gender issues, politics etc.
But today, cinema is a world of business!
Cinema was a business from the very day when Lumiere brothers started it.
What is the role of media activism in South Asia?
Media is getting highly influenced by today’s film industry. Youth everywhere is getting exposed to vulgarism, violence, sex etc.
What could possibly save the youth from all this violent exposures?
Cinema has a very important role to discuss social issues. The cinema activist must bring the burning reality of all social situations before its audience and create an awareness .
How does a music videos like the ones you have made make its mark here?
Music videos have a good role to play in society. There are many music videos like ‘America America’ which has a good rhythm and communicate powerful messages to the people.
