Nature and wildlife films in India; a genre full of potential

Ptinews.com, Thursday 1 Dec, 2005

New Delhi, Dec 1(PTI) Actors running around trees amidst the greenery of Switzerland is an integral ingredient of Bollywood masala movies. But when it comes to the narration of the nature itself, Indian films on nature and wildlife still have a long way to go.

While lack of technical expertise required for filming nature is a constant problem, inadequate finances further add to the woes.

"Making a film on nature in India is like crossing an obstacle course, " says nature film maker Shekhar Dattatri.

"Lack of finance is a major hindrance in making films on nature and wildlife in India," says eminent nature filmmaker Meghnath, whose film 'Vikas Bandook Ke Naal Se' bagged the 'Star award for best film' in the recently concluded film festival on nature and wildlife, 'Vatavaran,2005.'.

"Moreover the government creates obstacles in the name of censors. They have also contributed little in terms of creating infrastructure and facilities required for the production of this genre of films, " he says.

Stressing on the need for creating better conditions for nature film production in India, Praveen Singh, another filmmaker says, "attaining permission for shooting in the forests and national parks is still a problem." Singh, winner of the best documentary award in 'Vatavaran'2005' for his creation, 'Indian Leopards - the killing fields' further says, "Nature filmmakers should be welcomed to national parks just like scientists are. With nature rapidly changing its character in various parts of the world, visual documentation of nature is very important." PTI