Actor Mammootty and scriptwriter John Paul are on different pages on the merits of the current crop of films by youngsters widely referred to as ‘new generation cinema’.
Their contrasting perspectives on the issue came out at the international book festival of the DC Books at Marine Drive on Saturday where Mammootty released K.G. George’s semi-autobiographical work, ‘Flashback: Enteyum Cinemayudeyum’ by handing over a copy to John Paul.
The noted script writer, who spoke before Mammotty arrived for the function, said that the films of K.G. George, Mohan, Padmarajan and Bharathan are miles ahead in comparison with today’s so-called new generation films in terms of their shock value triggered by reality, levels of engagement, thematic novelty and stunning narration. “I don’t think any other Indian film has shocked the spectators the way Padmarajan’s ‘Arappatta Kettiya Gramathil’ did.”
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The films of K.G. George, who dished out suspenseful metanarratives, are text books for modern day film students, he said.
In sharp contrast, Mammootty said the films of K.G. George had not gone down well with some people at the time of their release.
“They found the films distasteful. Today, there’s a similar section of people raising eyebrows at the films of the younger generation.
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“The detractors are those who cannot keep pace with the changing times and endorse the concepts and cinematic devices of the current generation,” said the actor, who owes his launch into the film world to K.G. George’s ‘Mela’ shot around Marine Drive three decades ago.
Books released
Veteran circus artiste and writer Sreedharan Chambad’s ‘Thampu Paranja Jeevitham’ and patriarch of circus Gemini Sankaran’s ‘Malakkam Mariyunna Jeevithangal’ were released by cine director Sathyan Anthikkad.