Regional films need to be pushed forward: Sharmila Tagore

New Delhi: National award-winning actress Sharmila Tagore, who has carved a niche for herself in Indian cinema, feels that regional films deserve a better viewership and should be given a boost through good promotion and marketing.

"Regional films need to be pushed forward. With the multiplexes coming up in a big way, they can reach a bigger audience. All regional films should be backed by good marketing, especially Marathi films, which have to compete with Hindi films," said Sharmila. The actress was in the capital to promote her upcoming Marathi film `Samaantar` directed by Amol Palekar, which is going to be released with English subtitles for non-Marathi viewers in major cities of India. The 62-year-old actress has done some remarkable Bengali films in her lifetime, like Satyajit Ray`s `Apur Sansar` and `Devi`. Sharmila believes that though regional films vary from state to state, they have some features in common. "India is so diverse, yet there are certain things common when it comes to cinema. Be it Bengali or Marathi, films do have common sensibilities. The way audience react in a cinema house is the same everywhere," said the actress. `Samaantar` is Sharmila`s first Marathi film and the national award-winning actress had to face some problems with the language. (More) PTI BB VSS "I was nervous about the language before shooting for the film. Marathi language has a rich literature and a discerning audience, and I was apprehensive about exposing myself to criticism," she said. Palekar, who is returning to acting after a long time, feels that Bollywood is not the end of Indian cinema, and regional films present the true picture of India. "Good regional cinema can be more binding, as there is a lot of experimentation happening on that front. Bollywood films are not the end of Indian cinema," the veteran actor said. Palekar is teaming up with Tagore after 30 long years, since the duo had done a film in Bengali, called `Mother`, in the late 70s. "Both of us have managed to retain the charm of old times. Some fine sensibilities have remained the same, although the process of film-making has changed a lot in 30 years," said Pale Bureau Report