He is known for his documentary films on disadvantaged people
Mumbai : Documentary filmmaker Anand Patwardhan received the V Shantaram Lifetime Achievement Award for his contribution to the promotion of documentary filmmaking in India at the inaugural ceremony of the week-long Mumbai International Film Festival here at NCPA.
Patwardhan, known for his documentaries that revolve around issues such as corruption, slum dwellers, nuclear arms race, and communalism, said, “My films speak about the reality of the disadvantaged. However, no real change has been witnessed on the ground. The issues I highlighted through my films since 1980s continue to exist, such as rampant demolition of slums and uprooting of poor, communal violence, increasing crime against women, atrocities against the downtrodden, nuclear arms race etc.” Patwardhan thanked the jury for choosing him for the award which carries a cash prize of Rs 5 lakh and a citation.
His notable films include Bombay: Our City (Hamara Sahar) (1985), In the Name of God (Ram ke Nam) (1992), Father, Son and Holy War (Pitra, Putra aur Dharmayuddha) (1995), War and Peace (Jang aur Aman) (2002) and Jai Bhim Comrade (2011).
The opening day also comprised a musical performance by fusion band Mystik Vibes, screening of ‘Before Midnight: A Portrait of India on Film, 1899-1947 ’ curated by the British Film Institute National Archive and a short film ‘Checkmate BB’ made by children from 13 schools across the city.
