Nafisa seeks more funds for children's films

The charming thing about Nafisa Ali is that she is always at the peak of optimism. Nothing seems to pull her down.

When the Congress Party pitted her against the fiery Mamata Banerjee in Kolkata in the 2004 parliamentary elections, she did not stop smiling even as defeat stared her in the face.

It was common knowledge that the party used her as a sacrificial goat, but she did not take it that way. She did not also clamour for any post as a reward. So, when the announcement came of her appointment as chairperson of the Children's Film Society of India (CFSI), after actress Raveena Tandon stepped down citing personal reasons, Nafisa Ali accepted the offer with grace, enthusiasm and good cheer.

Though she made her film debut in Shyam Benegal's Junoon in 1978, playing the role of an ethereal English girl in it opposite Shashi Kapoor, she did not opt for an acting career. That, however, did not prevent her taking up another film assignment some years ago in Major Saab, starring Amitabh Bacchan. She readily admits that she has been a social activist for 25 years, and that she is not a professional film person. But she says that she has good friends in the film fraternity. She is all charged up to do her bit as the chairperson of the CFSI.

In an interview over the telephone with Gulf News, on her way to Nainital for a weekend getaway, Nafisa Ali talks about the new assignment, which she describes as a "welcome surprise", and what she would like to do.

Excerpts from the interview:

Gulf News: Did the offer to head the Children's Film Society of India (CFSI) come as a surprise?

Nafisa Ali: It is a welcome surprise. I have been away in the mountains in Jammu and Kashmir, where there was no television, no mobile telephone, no newspaper.

When I was at Gulmarg with Army officer friends, that Information and Broadcasting Minister S. Jaipal Reddy got in touch with me on the mobile phone. He told me that Raveena Tandon, who has been heading the society, has resigned, and wanted to know whether I would accept it. That is how it came about.

Though you have acted in Shyam Benegal's Junoon. You have not been involved in films.

Yes. I have been a social activist for the last 25 years, though I have acted recently in films like Major Saab. And I have had good relations with the film fraternity. I have got very good friends there.

Though it is too early to ask before you are yet to take over as the head of CFSI, do you have some plans as to what you want to do?

The budget for CFSI is Rs80 million (Dh6.7 million), which is meagre. I want this amount to be enhanced immediately.

What do you think of the children's films in this country?

Unfortunately, the huge potential for children's films has not been tapped. Remember that half the Indian population is below the age of 15. So, there is a lot that can be done. And I want to use the Doordarshan network the national television channel which reaches out to the remote villages to be used extensively for spreading viewership of children's films. It is also cheaper to make children's films for television.

Why is it that unlike in the US, where there is the phenomenon of Disney films, something similar has not happened in India?

Disney is a production house. I agree that something is missing in India. It might be because in India we see films as a family, members of all age groups sitting together. It may be one of reasons that a separate category of films for children has not developed.

How do you want to tackle this?

There is a huge potential. For example, the Panchatantra the Indian fables which inspired Aesops Fables can be turned into an interesting children's film as well.

So, you are confident that something positive can be done in the field of children's films?

I have no doubt on that score. There is so much talent in this country.