January 14, 2011 (Sampurn Wire): Indian documentary filmmaker, Anand Patwardhan was present at the 6th edition of VIBGYOR International Short & Documentary Film Festival which was held at the Thrissur Press Club on Tuesday. During the meet-the-press session, Anand, who is famous for his activism through social action documentaries, said that most of the TV channels and some sections of the print media have turned news broadcast into entertainment just to attract viewership.

He described how baseless entertainment reaches every corner of the country but his films on serious topics like corruption, slums dwellers, nuclear arms race, citizen activism and communalism stay confined within very few selective class of audience. He described that it becomes frustrating for him at times but that doesnt stop him from doing what he is doing. He enjoys every bit of what he does because he is doing what he always wanted to, he explained.

During the press meet he stated that banning organisations like RSS wont help in bringing communalism to an end. This will only lead to formulation of underground activities he said. Terror breeds terror, he explained.

Anands has won many national and International awards for his films like In the Name of God, Father, Son and Holy War and War and Peace.

President Joy Mannur and Secretary V.R. Rajamohan also spoke at the event which was organized by Sangeeta Nataka Akademi.

Wishing Anand all the very best and hoping India recognizes these kinds of documentaries based on reality, one day.

--Sampurn Wire