Picked for Oscars but no money to promote

TALK about Indian films, and the first thing that comes to mind is Bollywood. Money, fame, glamour, it’s got everything to offer. But beyond the razzle and dazzle of the spotlight there’s another industry which is fighting a lonely battle for survival. These are the small scale, low- budget regional films, often made by independent filmmakers.

Money might breed money but it can’t always guarantee success. Thus, despite a lack of financial muscle, there are times when regional films triumph over Hindi movies.

Director Salim Ahmed has produced the Movie

Malayalam movie Adaminte Makan Abu is one such example. Produced and directed by Salim Ahmed, the film won four national awards — best film, actor, photography and background music — and has been chosen as India’s official entry to the Oscars in the foreign language category.

But the Oscar selection is proving to be a bigger headache for the debutant director than that he had faced making the film, which cost him nearly ` 1 crore. Ahmed, a small time videographer at a remote village in Kannur district of Kerala, is now finding it difficult to arrange funds for promoting his film in the US for the Oscar jury. He needs at least ` 2 crore and is running from pillar to post but with little to show for his efforts.

His effort to raise funds somewhat mirrors that of the central character in his film in which an old man, who sells attar ( perfume), dreams of making enough money to go on a pilgrimage to Mecca. Despite all his efforts, he fails to save the money needed for the trip.

“ Before the Oscar nomination, we will have to conduct a lot of promotional events such as screening the film in the US to mobilise support. A minimum of six screenings have to be arranged for the jury members,” Ahmed said.

“ I cannot borrow money because even if the film gets a nomination, it does not bring home any cash.” The print has already landed in the US and Ahmed is expected to be there by the middle of this month. Ahmed had turned to all sections for help, but faced rejection from every quarter. The Film Fed- eration of India has also appealed to the Union information and broadcasting minister Ambika Soni for financial help, but she is yet to respond.

Back home, the Malayalam film industry, controlled by superstars Mammootty and Mohanlal, has even refused to acknowledge the film’s selection for the Oscars, while the state cultural affairs ministry too is reluctant to help.

The team behind the award winning film is now pinning it hopes on the efforts of Salim Kumar, who played the lead role. He has turned to Bollywood star Aamir Khan for help.

“ I hope I can convince him about the problems low- budget filmmakers face in promoting movies,” Kumar said.