Classic films our legacy, treasure: Boman Irani

Jan 25, 2016 IANS

New Delhi: Actor Boman Irani, who will host a festival celebrating the life and work of legendary filmmaker Bimal Roy on television, says classic films are "our legacy, our treasure".

Commemorating the 50th death anniversary of Roy, Zee Classic will celebrate his life and work, with the "Bimal Roy Festival presented by Boman Irani".

"Classic films are our legacy, our treasure. Those who don't want to see them, so be it. But the few that will see them will get influenced by them. Even if a few get influenced, they will realise that they are watching something that they have missed out, that they are deprived of," Boman told IANS.

"Children of my generation had the opportunity to watch good, classic films regularly, but we don't get to see the stuff now. Now we have 180 channels and still we are unable to screen or telecast one single classic film," he rued.

Boman shared that one of the first classic films he saw was Roy's movie "Do Bigha Zamin", which released in 1953.

"It was completely a different kind of cinema, had a statement with the story line, about the industrialisation of the country, the plight of the farmers and issues that are even more relevant today," said the "Munna Bhai M.B.B.S." actor.

He mentioned late actor Balraj Sahni's influence on him, saying that he continues to get inspired with his work in the film.

"I was completely blown away by his performance in the film and realised this is what takes to be an actor. Not somebody who mouths a few lines," Boman said.

"If I was born in that generation, I would totally love to work in any of the Bimal Roy films," he added.

The festival, co-powered by State Bank of India, will air every Saturday starting from February 6 with "Do Bigha Zamin".