On 18th Sept 2012 Shabana Azmi turned....Well that's not important. What is important is that she continues to work with the same zeal and enthusiasm what she did a quarter century ago, when she became the Chairperson of Childern' Film Society, India (CFSI).
Shabana Azmi had succeded Jaya Bachchan. Ms Azmi was the woman in a hurry. The moment she took over as the Chairperson, she wanted the best Directors of Bollywood to come forward and make children films for CFSI. She used all her goodwill and contacts to ensure no stone was left unturned. From Pankaj Parashar( Karamchand, Chaalbaaz and Jalwa fame) to Shekhar Kapoor, Ila Arun all came to CFSI to ensure that some good work can be done to elevate the standard of Children films in our country.
The film Asman se Gira produced and directed by Pankaj Parashar was the costliest film (37Lakhs in 1986-87 ) produced in the history of CFSI. Inspite of the Music by Louis Bank and actors such as Anupam Kher, Amjad khan and Raghubir Yadav, the film did not click with the young audience.I remember children walking out of the theater in the International Film Festival at Banglore.
But that's what the uncertainty of celluloid business is all about....
Shabani Azmi continued with her good work at CFSI. She, for the first time, sold the video rights of CFSI films in the public domain in order to bring children cinema home.This was a bold step since CFSI was very particular about showing its films to children, only in theaters and that too only in morning shows
Another feather in the cap for Ms Azmi as the Chairperson of CFSI was to revive the Indo Mauritius Film Co Production, the foundation of which was laid by me in 1984 during my visit to Mauritius.
However the shooting of the co production film, could start only after Mrs Jaya Bachchan returned to CFSI.
In short the tenure of Shabana Azmi as chairperson of CFSI was short but dynamic.
It is not in our hands to choose our parents or our Boss. I was lucky to have Shabana Azmi as my Boss.
May she continue to live up to her reputation as a relentless crusader. Belated Happy Birthday Shabanaji.
The film Asman se Gira produced and directed by Pankaj Parashar was the costliest film (37Lakhs in 1986-87 ) produced in the history of CFSI. Inspite of the Music by Louis Bank and actors such as Anupam Kher, Amjad khan and Raghubir Yadav, the film did not click with the young audience.I remember children walking out of the theater in the International Film Festival at Banglore.
Shabani Azmi continued with her good work at CFSI. She, for the first time, sold the video rights of CFSI films in the public domain in order to bring children cinema home.This was a bold step since CFSI was very particular about showing its films to children, only in theaters and that too only in morning shows
However the shooting of the co production film, could start only after Mrs Jaya Bachchan returned to CFSI.
In short the tenure of Shabana Azmi as chairperson of CFSI was short but dynamic.
May she continue to live up to her reputation as a relentless crusader. Belated Happy Birthday Shabanaji.
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