Yash Chopra impressed by Mamata`s dedication

Kolkata: Veteran Bollywood filmmaker Yash Chopra today lauded West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee saying has never come across a more dedicated politician.

"I have met a lot of people and politicians in my life. But I have never seen someone as dedicated as her," Chopra said at a FICCI FRAMES session on media and entertainment industry here. Recalling his meeting with Banerjee at the International Film Festival of India two years ago, Chopra said he was dragged out of a dinner party by her and asked to explain in detail problems of the film industry. "I didn`t know her so well then. But when I met her I told her about the problems of the industry. Later she dragged me out of a dinner as she wanted to understand the problems in detail," the Dadasaheb Phalke awardee said. He also thanked the CM for writing a personal letter to Prime Minister Manmohan Singh to apprise him of the issues facing films. The 79-year-old who last directed SRK starrer `Veer-Zaara` in 2004 said Bollywood is at a very important juncture now. "The eyes of Hollywood are on us. And latest technology has opened new doors for us," he said adding piracy and inadequate infrastructure remain critical issues for the industry. "If every person who watches any film or listens to any music pays even one rupee, no film will ever flop. Whenever a film releases, the first to be benefited are the pirates. Our existence is at stake because of this," he said urging the Centre to act against the menace of piracy. PTI