At the vibrant 'Lights, Camera, Lucknow' session of the Koshala Literature Festival, a powerful call for establishing a dedicated Awadhi-language film industry echoed through the halls. Prominent artists from Lucknow passionately argued that the city's unique cultural identity and deep pool of acting talent are ripe for cinematic exploitation.
A Plea for Awadhi Cinema
Anil Rastogi, a renowned actor and former scientist at the Central Drug Research Institute, took center stage with a compelling vision. He articulated a desire to see Lucknow develop its own filmmaking ecosystem, much like the established industries in Hindi and Bengali. Rastogi emphasized that numerous skilled artists from Lucknow and surrounding areas like Kanpur are already making their mark in Mumbai. His central appeal was for producers, directors, and financiers to recognize the potential of creating films in the authentic Awadhi dialect, a language for which Lucknow is famously known.
Unmatched Professionalism from Lucknow's Talent
Echoing the sentiment for local recognition, fellow actor Sandeep Yadav shed light on the exceptional work ethic of artists hailing from the city. He boldly stated that Lucknow's actors often display greater professionalism than their Mumbai counterparts. Yadav revealed a common challenge: actors frequently receive only small roles and their specific portion of the script, remaining unaware of the movie's full plot. Despite this, they consistently deliver powerful and convincing performances, giving their 200% effort no matter the size of the role.
Lucknow's Enduring Legacy in the Arts
The discussion also highlighted the city's profound and lasting impact on various narrative arts. Actress Archana Shukla, who shared the screen with Amitabh Bachchan in 'Gulabo Sitabo'—a film shot in Lucknow—and has extensive experience in TV series and plays, attested to this. She confirmed that Lucknow has an enduring influence on cinema, theatre, and storytelling. Adding to the optimistic outlook, Devashish Mukherjee pointed out that dedicated artists in Lucknow are now receiving more opportunities, partly thanks to government subsidies on films, which have further promoted local talent.
The session ultimately painted a promising picture of a burgeoning film hub, waiting for its moment under the spotlight, powered by its distinct language and exceptionally professional artists.
