Nandita slams 'Firaaq' producers for not marketing film

Nov 25, 2009 IANS

Panaji, Nov 25 (IANS) Noted actress and director of "Firaaq", Nandita Das Wednesday lashed out at her producers, Percept picture company, for not "properly marketing" the film.

"Firaaq was not released properly. There was no marketing. There were some rumours that the film was released before elections and no one was sure who would come to power in Gurajat or at the centre. So I don't know, but the film really suffered because of this," Nandita told reporters at the 40th edition of the International Film Festival of India here.

Nandita was also livid with the festival organizers for not adding sub-titles to her film during the screening.

"I don't know whether the IFFI organizers or my producers messed up. The film screened here had no sub-titles. There is no excuse for this," the actress said.

She further said that "Firaaq" should ideally have been screened at the IFFI last year, but the plans could not come to fruition.

Nandita alleged that despite having roped in a world sales agent to market the film worldwide, not much was done to market the film abroad.

"We even had a world sales agent. We had received so many requests globally, but the producers did not send them the stuff," she said.

"People I meet often tell me... 'Firaaq'... I have heard about it. Has it been released?" she said.

"The producers had a DVD release, but had no DVD launch," she added, emphasizing her point.

"Firaaq", released last year was Nandita's maiden directorial venture and dealt with people and relationships post-Gujarat 2002 riots. Click the Movie button below for more info:
Firaaq