Gurinder Chadha: Indian filmmakers are certainly making a mark, but there is still room for growth

Mumbai: British director of Indian origin, Gurinder Chadha feels that even though some great movies are being made in Bollywood, there is a dearth of excellent filmmakers in the industry.

"There are some great films being made like 'Bhaag Milkha Bhaag', '3 Idiots', 'Peepli Live', 'Dhobi Ghaat', 'Queen', 'Vicky Donor' and 'Tere Bin Laden'. I see lots of talent with high production values. But I do feel we have a dearth of excellent Bollywood filmmakers. I could never do what they do. I will make musicals in my own way though," Chadha, 54, told PTI.

She loved Farhan Akhtar starrer 'Bhaag Milkha Bhaag', a biopic on legendary sportsman Milkha Singh.

"I liked 'Bhaag Milka Bhaag' a lot. It had great story telling, great performances and was beautifully shot. It was very moving too," she said.

She thinks Indian filmmakers are certainly making a mark, but there is still room for growth.

"I felt 'Vicky Donor' was a terrific film with a great story. I feel if I were in the edit room, I could have helped flesh out a cut for the international audience. That doesn't just mean cutting out the songs. There are subtle changes one can make to cater to global sensibilities," she said.

In order to promote good content, recently she has collaborated with AVT Shankardass, an entertainment financier and producer for Bend It Media Fund (BIMF). It's an initiative to collaborate with and support talent across the globe.

"Through this vehicle we intend to encourage people to deliver high quality entertainment products to a broad range of people across the globe," said the 'Bend It Like Beckham' director.

"The fund will allow not only me, but others, both veterans and new comers, to scale up significantly and explore traditional and new forms of media, through motion pictures, television, stage or the digital space," she added.

Chadha feels there are many great stories that do not end up being made either due to restrictions from studio or simply not enough support.

"No matter how well known a filmmaker maybe, one still has to struggle a lot to get a film, a show or programme made.

The fund will provide the appropriate creative and financial means to ensure their stories are told through the correct medium and reach the right audiences," she said.